North-Side Library in La Crosse announces longer hours in new year

Just a year after La Crosse’s public library closed its south-side branch in a budget-cutting move, the north side branch is ready to increase its business hours.

Library administrators have announced on social media that the north branch on Kane Street will double its operating hours on weekdays, to eight hours, 10 am to 6 pm, on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Saturday hours, from 9 am to 1 pm, will also be added. At the present time, the north building just operates four hours a day, three days a week, and not on weekends. Staffers say changes in staffing plans have allowed them to extend the north-side operation time.

The changes take effect January 2nd. The library says the reduction from three buildings to just two helped make the change in hours of operation possible. Last fall, the south branch library on 16th Street was closed to save money, leaving just the Main Street Library and the Kane Street branch open. A city preservation committee granted historic status to the south branch earlier this year, as officials continue to study future options for that building.

(Image courtesy of the La Crosse Public Library archives)