To best serve the community while responsibly managing public resources, the library will update its operating hours beginning Tuesday, September 8.
Approved by our Board of Trustees in June, the new schedule aligns staffing with peak usage times, ensuring maximum support when customers need it most.
Following our 2022/23 renovation and expansion, we added two new public service points to meet growing community demand. A recent data-driven usage review showed that early mornings (9–10 a.m.) and late Saturday afternoons see the lowest foot traffic. Adjusting these hours allows us to reallocate existing staff to fully cover all service points during peak times—improving customer care without adding tax-funded positions.
This optimization directly supports the library’s 2024–2026 Strategic Plan goals of operational efficiency, responsive service, and responsible stewardship of public funds.
While our hours are changing, our focus remains the same: providing knowledgeable, welcoming service while connecting you with the resources, programs, and opportunities you value.
On Saturday, August 1, downtown Eau Claire will transition to a paid parking system. This includes on-street parking, kiosks, and updated parking ramp pricing. This map shows you pricing for on-street parking, which is either $1.00 or 50 cents per hour. Parking lots and ramps (shown in purple) all have slightly different rules (see below).
Note: On-street is free on weekdays 6am–1pm, on Sundays, and on holidays; and there is no two hour limit during these times.
The library has a small number of its own free parking spaces, which include two 2 accessible spaces—beneath the library itself, accessible via the driveway off S. Dewey Street. See other parking options below. We also have five 2-hour spaces in front of the library, along the grass, also accessible from S. Dewey Street.
Rules for Ramps & City Lots
1. Forest Street Parking Lot | 122 East Madison Street
• 52 FREE 4-hour spaces (enforced 9am−5pm, weekdays)
• 2 accessible spaces
2. North Barstow Parking Ramp | 303 Galloway Street
• $0.50 per hour, $10 daily max
• Enforced all days/all hours
• 13 accessible spaces
3. Riverview Parking Lot | 101 S Dewey Street
• $1.00 an hour from 5pm−11pm (permit parking from 7am−5pm) • FREE 2-hour parking row for library patrons
• 5 accessible spaces
4. Farwell/Gibson Parking Ramp | 360 Gibson Street
• 405 stalls at $0.50 per hour, $10 daily max
• Enforced all days/all hours
• 7 accessible spaces
5. City Hall Parking Lot | 203 South Farwell Street
• $1.00 an hour from 1pm–11pm, Fridays & Saturdays (Meaning, free on Fridays & Saturdays until 1pm.)
6. Farwell Street Parking Lot | 309 South Farwell Street
• 43 stalls at $1.00 an hour, $10 max
• 2 accessible spaces
7. Transit Center Ramp Coming soon!
8. Schlegelmilch Parking Lot | 517 South Farwell Street
• 140 FREE stalls
9. Seaver Street Parking Lot | 617 South Barstow Street
• 35 stalls at $1.00 an hour, $10 max
• 2 accessible spaces
https://www.ecpubliclibrary.info/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/library-logo-2019.png00Library Updateshttps://www.ecpubliclibrary.info/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/library-logo-2019.pngLibrary Updates2026-06-23 13:34:132026-06-23 13:52:02The Library Will Be Closed on Independence Day
New Library Hours Coming September 8
/in Updates/by Library UpdatesTo best serve the community while responsibly managing public resources, the library will update its operating hours beginning Tuesday, September 8.
Approved by our Board of Trustees in June, the new schedule aligns staffing with peak usage times, ensuring maximum support when customers need it most.
New Library Hours (Effective Sept. 8):
Monday–Thursday: 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Following our 2022/23 renovation and expansion, we added two new public service points to meet growing community demand. A recent data-driven usage review showed that early mornings (9–10 a.m.) and late Saturday afternoons see the lowest foot traffic. Adjusting these hours allows us to reallocate existing staff to fully cover all service points during peak times—improving customer care without adding tax-funded positions.
This optimization directly supports the library’s 2024–2026 Strategic Plan goals of operational efficiency, responsive service, and responsible stewardship of public funds.
While our hours are changing, our focus remains the same: providing knowledgeable, welcoming service while connecting you with the resources, programs, and opportunities you value.
Questions? Contact us ➜
Saturday, August 1: Paid Parking in Downtown Eau Claire Begins
/in Updates/by Library UpdatesOn Saturday, August 1, downtown Eau Claire will transition to a paid parking system. This includes on-street parking, kiosks, and updated parking ramp pricing. This map shows you pricing for on-street parking, which is either $1.00 or 50 cents per hour. Parking lots and ramps (shown in purple) all have slightly different rules (see below).
Note: On-street is free on weekdays 6am–1pm, on Sundays, and on holidays; and there is no two hour limit during these times.
Learn how the payment system works: https://www.parkec.org
Library Lots
The library has a small number of its own free parking spaces, which include two 2 accessible spaces—beneath the library itself, accessible via the driveway off S. Dewey Street. See other parking options below. We also have five 2-hour spaces in front of the library, along the grass, also accessible from S. Dewey Street.
Rules for Ramps & City Lots
1. Forest Street Parking Lot | 122 East Madison Street
• 52 FREE 4-hour spaces (enforced 9am−5pm, weekdays)
• 2 accessible spaces
2. North Barstow Parking Ramp | 303 Galloway Street
• $0.50 per hour, $10 daily max
• Enforced all days/all hours
• 13 accessible spaces
3. Riverview Parking Lot | 101 S Dewey Street
• $1.00 an hour from 5pm−11pm (permit parking from 7am−5pm)
• FREE 2-hour parking row for library patrons
• 5 accessible spaces
4. Farwell/Gibson Parking Ramp | 360 Gibson Street
• 405 stalls at $0.50 per hour, $10 daily max
• Enforced all days/all hours
• 7 accessible spaces
5. City Hall Parking Lot | 203 South Farwell Street
• $1.00 an hour from 1pm–11pm, Fridays & Saturdays
(Meaning, free on Fridays & Saturdays until 1pm.)
6. Farwell Street Parking Lot | 309 South Farwell Street
• 43 stalls at $1.00 an hour, $10 max
• 2 accessible spaces
7. Transit Center Ramp
Coming soon!
8. Schlegelmilch Parking Lot | 517 South Farwell Street
• 140 FREE stalls
9. Seaver Street Parking Lot | 617 South Barstow Street
• 35 stalls at $1.00 an hour, $10 max
• 2 accessible spaces
Questions? Contact us ➜
The Library Will Be Closed on Independence Day
/in Updates/by Library UpdatesThe library will be closed Saturday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day. We’ll resume our normal hours on Monday, July 6.
Questions? Contact us ➜