Abstract: Records include those of La Crosse Public Library from 1885-2009, as well as its predecessor groups, the La Crosse Literary Association, 1867-1868, and the Young Men’s Library Association, 1868-1888. The public library was originally funded through a bequest of former Wisconsin governor Cadwallader C. Washburn, and was overseen by a private board until Dec. 1981 when the library became a city department.

Records consist of board materials, such as minutes, annual reports, departmental statistics, budgets and other financial information, correspondence, documents relating to the three library buildings, and individual departments and service areas. Also a good collection of photographs and moving images are included of the buildings (interior and exterior), board members, directors, staff, and Cadwallader C. Washburn.