Name: Raising a Nation: The Childcare Crisis and the Future of Families
Start: 2026-11-07
End: 2026-11-07

The L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library offers public Internet computer stations and free WI-fi access; iPads to check out; activities for kids and teens; art exhibits; and books, movies and music for the entire family—at the library or downloadable from the library’s website at www.ecpubliclibrary.info. Located in downtown Eau Claire at the corner of Eau Claire and South Farwell Streets, it is the largest public library in west central Wisconsin.

The library is open Mondays through Thursdays 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Fridays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sundays during the school year, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

A Place for Kids and Teens - The public library in Eau Claire invites kids to enjoy the vibrant, family-friendly space that includes Discovery Stations with computer games, interactive toys and books for toddlers and preschoolers, craft activities and story times, and comfy lounge seating for moms and dads, grandmas and grandpas. Teens can relax with magazines and computers in the welcoming Young Adult lounge on the second floor.

Events for Everyone - The library sponsors and coordinates a broad spectrum of programs for all ages, including story times for kids and babies, special events for teens, concerts, author visits, poetry readings and speakers. Each year, thousands of library visitors view the library's art exhibits, which feature the work of local and regional artists, as well as many displays of interest to children and adults.

Get the Answer - Whether you’re doing homework or putting together a business plan, the library offers access to a broad selection of research tools. Consumer and legal research, genealogy, local history, health, government and grant information, phone numbers and addresses, learning a language...it all starts here. Need help? Talk to a librarian in person, by phone, e-mail or text at 715.839.5004, librarian@eauclaire.lib.wi.us or via the library's website at www.ecpubliclibrary.info.

L. E. Phillips Memorial Public Library

The Sounds Like Summer Concert Series is Volume One's Thursday-night gig in downtown Eau Claire, Wisconsin's Phoenix Park. Local bands play to crowds of more than 1,000 people each night on the banks of the Chippewa River in June, July, and August. This series helps make Eau Claire known as a "mini-Portland". Featuring a variety of genres of music, your foot will keep tapping and your head will keep nodding along to the sweet tunes of summer.

Sounds Like Summer Concert Series

Since 1975, the Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra has grown into the finest community orchestra in the area. The CVSO employs local musicians to play its five major concerts per year, brings in guest artists from across the world to solo with the ensemble, and annually collaborates with the Chippewa Valley Festival Choir. Under the leadership of Conductor and Music Director Nobuyoshi Yasuda, the CVSO performs at the state-of-the-art Pablo Center at the Confluence in downtown Eau Claire. The ensemble’s mission is to provide excellent symphonic experiences to audiences in the Chippewa Valley, with goals to increase understanding and appreciation of orchestral music to an expanding audience, provide audiences with a diversity of orchestral selections and artists, and provide an opportunity for talented local musicians to perform. CVSO’s motto is “Music you love by people you know.”

Chippewa Valley Symphony

The creative vibe and energy of Eau Claire are easy to experience when living at Andante. The location is ideal, close to many community amenities such as the Farmer's Market, Pablo Center at the Confluence, local restaurants, coffee & specialty shops. Andante is a new apartment complex with 76 residential units, including studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units. Units have upscale modern finishes, many with balconies and excellent views overlooking the Eau Claire River and Phoenix Park. You really can have it all, lifestyle included at Andante.

Amenities include: in-unit washer & dryer, 9-foot ceilings, energy-efficient, stainless steel appliances, large windows for abundant natural light, elegant finishes & designer fixtures, fully furnished units, balcony, pet-friendly, on-site & covered parking options, bike storage, secure package storage, fitness center, elevator access to resident floors, ground-level retail, convenient downtown location, direct access to the Chippewa River State Trail, productivity room, and residential common area (indoor & outdoor).

Andante Vacation Rental

Phoenix Coffee is a new coffee shop in downtown Eau Claire right on the riverwalk, and within a couple minutes walk to Phoenix Park, The Pablo Center, Eau Claire Children's Museum, and other downtown favorites. Phoenix coffee features a full array of espresso and coffee drinks, and non-coffee options. Quick serve food selection include bagels, sandwiches, Kolaches, caramel apple French toast, oatmeal pancakes, scones, and cinnamon rolls. You can expect fast friendly service in a relaxed environment, perfect for grab and go or sitting and enjoying one of the best views of Eau Claire.

Phoenix Coffee

Experience vibrant Downtown Eau Claire from the rooftop of The Lismore hotel. Enjoy a house-made craft cocktail, select beer or a sampling of our wines. The name Dive pays tribute to the history of the space. In the 1970s, Dive was the hotel's swimming pool. We welcome you to visit Dive and unwind inside or out.

Dive

The Lismore Hotel Eau Claire - a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel. A newly rebuilt hotel in the heart of downtown, this hotel and convention center has been reimagined to match Eau Claire’s vibrant Farmers Market neighborhood. Walk to the Children’s Museum, State Theatre, Phoenix Park, and a dozen restaurants and breweries. UW-Eau Claire is 1 mile away and the Mayo Clinic is a half-mile away.

The Lismore Hotel will greet you at check-in with a warm DoubleTree chocolate chip cookie. Settle into a guest room with complimentary WiFi, a 42-inch HDTV, mini-refrigerator, Cuisinart® coffeemaker and lighted vanity mirror. Here a few days? Choose a top-floor suite with floor-to-ceiling windows, a living area with sofa and larger HDTV, and a bathroom with whirlpool tub.

You’ll find downtown dining options for any craving at our Eau Claire hotel. The Informalist restaurant serves a delicious farm-to-table menu out of an exhibition kitchen, and ECDC coffee shop offers craft-roasted brews. Check out the views and signature cocktails at DIVE, our casual rooftop lounge. Daily room service, a lobby lounge and a 24-hour snack shop are other tasty options.

Burn calories in the 24-hour fitness center, and work smart in the 24-hour business center. Our hotel in Eau Claire also has 14,000 sq. ft. of beautiful meeting space for up to 620 guests – perfect for your next conference or celebration.

### Highlights

- Boutique hotel with 112 guest rooms, including 7 top-floor suites
- Attached to convention center and steps from dining and attractions
- Restaurant, coffee shop, 2 lounges, and daily room service
- 14,000 sq. ft. of flexible event space with complimentary WiFi
- 24-hour fitness center, business center and convenience shop

The Lismore Hotel Eau Claire - a DoubleTree by Hilton

Madden Ramen is one of the finest restaurants in Eau Claire, WI. They not only offer amazing food but also serve it in a pleasant atmosphere that'll have you coming back for more. Their talented, experienced chefs create amazing dishes using fresh ingredients. Exotic sauces and flavors intermingle on your plate, and the hot, tangy aromas waft up to meet your nose, creating an exciting taste journey you can experience only in their restaurant.

Madden Ramen

Olson's Ice Cream has been a family tradition in the Chippewa Valley since 1944. Their delicious ice cream is locally produced and homemade with only the finest ingredients. In addition to their store locations in Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls, during the summer months they proudly serve from the concession stand at Irvine Park and can be found scooping artisan ice cream and treats from their concession trailers or portable freezers at events around the area. Make sure to find them at these upcoming events for a delicious cold treat: Saturdays 5/1-10/31 - Eau Claire Phoenix Park Farmer's Market April 29 - Eau Claire Nationals Ball Tournament May 19-21 - Hallie Ball Fields, Chippewa Falls, WI May 19-21 - Seymour Ball Fields, Eau Claire,WI May 19 (2pm-12am) - Spring Fest, Northern WI State Fair Grounds May 20 (11am-12am) - Spring Fest, Northern WI State Fair Grounds June 1 - (6-8:30pm) - Sounds Like Summer, Eau Claire, WI June 2 - (11am-7pm) - Phoenix Park Food Truck Friday, Eau Claire, WI June 4 - (6-8:30pm) - Riverfront Park, Chippewa Falls, WI

Olson's Ice Cream Eau Claire

Olson's Ice Cream is the only locally made ice cream since 1944! They have developed over 250 recipes (and counting) of delicious homemade ice cream! When you visit, choose from the largest selection of classic and seasonal flavors made with fresh milk, cream, and high-quality ingredients.

The premier place in Eau Claire for vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, and the best audio equipment to play 'em in Western Wisconsin. Swing by and browse their vast selection of new and used records.

Revival Records

The Informalist strives to provide a unique and diverse offering of palate pleasing options. Situated inside The Lismore Hotel, the menus cover the full range of daily offerings from breakfast and brunch to wood stone pizza and a full dinner menu serving from the break of day until late in the evening. The Informalist staff has prepared a selection of options that include gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan platings.

The Informalist

Located in western Wisconsin, Eau Claire offers sports planners a destination that's easy to reach, easy to navigate, and ready to host. Just 90 minutes from the Minneapolis–St. Paul area and within driving distance of Chicago, Eau Claire is well positioned to welcome teams, athletes, and fans from across the Midwest.

A versatile mix of indoor and outdoor venues supports events across a wide range of sports and competition levels, with tournament-ready fields, courts, ice facilities, pools, trails, and large-scale indoor spaces. Hotels, restaurants, venues, and visitor amenities are conveniently located throughout the community, making it easy for teams to get where they need to be throughout the event.

Visit Eau Claire's sports team works alongside event organizers to help bring the details together, connecting planners with venues, accommodations, local resources, and destination support.

And there's plenty waiting beyond the competition. Eau Claire's walkable downtown, local restaurants and breweries, miles of trails, public art, live music, family attractions, and the Chippewa River give athletes and their families more to experience between games and after the final whistle.

Eau Claire has the facilities to host the event and the destination experience to make the trip worth it.**** Bring the competition, bring the crowd, and come as you are — Eau Claire is ready to host.

Visit Eau Claire

Author Elliot Haspel explores the history, realities, and future of childcare in America. Drawing from his most recent book, Raising a Nation: 10 Reasons Every American Has a Stake in Child Care For All, this event will examine why childcare matters not only to families with young children, but also to employers, schools, and overall health of communities.

Registration required on library website.

Raising a Nation: The Childcare Crisis and the Future of Families

Want to learn more about the area and event? Ask our friendly tour guide.

About Raising a Nation: The Childcare Crisis and the Future of Families

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Near L. E. Phillips Memorial Public Library