Library layoffs and furloughs to save close to $500K

More than a dozen workers at the La Crosse Public Library will be out of jobs at the end of this week, as the library needs to meet city budget-cutting goals. 

The library board is permanently cutting 4 full-time and 11 part-time jobs, effective Friday. 

Eight other full-time workers will be furloughed for most of the summer, until September. 

Library board members call the budget cuts ‘difficult’ and ‘heartbreaking’ budget cuts, to make up for funding shortages due to the coronavirus. 

The library is also cutting some materials, supplies, and travel expenses, with reductions representing 10 per cent of the library’s budget.