Wauwatosa library seeks modest staffing increases, starts planning for renovation and capital campaign

The Wauwatosa City Library director, Pete, told the Financial Affairs Committee on Oct. 7 that the library saw a substantial rebound in visits, programming attendance and circulation in 2024 and is seeking modest, targeted changes in the proposed 2026 operating budget.

The library presented specific staffing and programming changes intended to improve retention and service. Pete said the budget would propose an increase to the hourly rate for shelvers (the library’s lowest-paid position) and an addition of 8 circulation-attendant hours across two part-time employees. Pete said the shelver position previously moved from $12 to $12.79 and that raising the rate further aims to reduce turnover and improve morale. The library also noted a small net operating increase (1.3% in the library’s operating line) while moving programming expenses from the foundation into the library’s operating budget to reflect those activities as core services.

Library performance and why it matters

Pete said 2024 was among the library’s top circulation years: the library had its fifth-highest annual combined physical and digital circulation in state history and its highest total since 2012. He said digital checkouts now account for roughly 16.8% of total circulation. The library is about 27.05 full-time equivalent positions and the staffing changes proposed for 2026 are small in net FTE but aimed at operational stability: two circulation attendants who currently work 16 hours per week would be increased to 20 hours, adding four hours each and creating eight new hours total. Those changes are intended to reduce turnover, speed processing of returned items and improve desk coverage.

Programming and outreach

Kathy Kosher, president of the library board, and library staff described efforts to reduce barriers to participation: the library moved some children’s programming from a registration model to a weekly, drop-in format to increase accessibility and said it expects program attendees to continue rising in 2025. The library plans to expand off-site intergenerational programming (including work with Oak Park Place) and to explore homebound delivery service. Staff also described plans to expand the “library of things” collection, to pursue additional STEM activities (including pursuit of a 3-D printer) and to work with the library foundation on technology services.

Capital planning and fundraising

Pete and Kosher told the committee the library is working with a construction management firm to develop renovation options and that the library board and the Wauwatosa Library Foundation intend to coordinate a capital campaign once the city provides a firmer plan and commitment. Pete outlined a multi-step timeline discussed with the committee: the construction manager will develop a plan for council consideration in 2026; if the council approves a specific scope and public funding level, the foundation would begin quiet-phase fundraising and would likely engage a capital-fundraising consultant in 2027 in advance of a possible 2028 groundbreaking. Pete and Kosher emphasized those dates were planning targets, not firm commitments.

Funding notes and federal aid

Pete noted the library is using ARPA funds for a project that runs through 2026 and that federal library-aid programs (the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the LSTA grants they distribute to states) provide important back-office support to Wisconsin libraries through the Department of Public Instruction; he cautioned that changes to those federal programs could affect services like interlibrary loan and other shared systems.

What’s next

Committee members asked about the drivers of rising attendance and the timing of a potential renovation. Committee members generally praised the library’s performance and noted the board and foundation will need a firm plan and fundraising targets before donors commit. Library leadership said they will return to the council process with details as the construction manager’s work progresses.