[1] In 2005, the La Crosse Public Library won an award for its digitized history website.
[2] After the death of former Wisconsin Governor Cadwallader C. Washburn, a large bequest was made, land was purchased, and a library was built which was opened in 1888.
A children's department was opened in 1905 and in 1909 a large extension to the building was built which nearly doubled its size.
After a bequest from Susan and Elizabeth Swarthout it was possible to extend this building and provide accommodation for the La Crosse County Historical Society.
Remodeling work was undertaken in 1996 and again in 2007 to improve the circulation workflow and service for juvenile readers.