Celebrate Library Card Sign Up Month this September with Willard Library and the American Library Association! The library invites everyone to discover the incredible resources and opportunities available at Willard Library by signing up for a library card.  Director of Youth Services Tynisha Dungey explained, “The American Library association began celebrating Library Card Sign Up Month in hopes that every child would have a library card and access to all of the resources and services the library offers.” She continued, “Anyone who is at least five years old or enrolled in kindergarten, and lives in our service area, is eligible for a library card. All you need is a license or state ID to verify your address.”  This year, Optimus Prime from Hasbro’s Transformers is the special ambassador, highlighting that there’s more than meets the eye to discover at the library. Dungey shared, “each child who signs up for a library card during the month of September will receive a canvas library bag and some fun transformers swag, as well as a cool lanyard to protect their brand new library card.”  Beyond books, Dungey said there is much to discover at the library, “Of course, you want access to the latest books and movies for free, right?” she asked. “But libraries are more than just books. WIth your library card, you can use our digital apps like Libby, Freegal,Hoopla, and Rocket Languages from the comfort of your own home. Get tapped in with the library. Explore all of the programs we have for children, teens and adults. Hang out in our serenity space, and meet some new people!” Willard Library has a special event planned for Monday, September 9th to further celebrate this special month. The youth services team will host a “Get to Know Your Library – Transformers Style” program, which Dungey described as “the perfect opportunity for families and children to learn more about library resources for children and teens, and meet some of the wonderful youth services staff.” The program will be held at 6 p.m., Monday, Sept. 9 in the downtown location’s children’s department. For more information, visit the library’s website at WillardLibrary.org or call the information desk at 269-968-8166. 

Willard Library was honored earlier this week to be awarded the “Regional Friends of Girl Scouting Certificate” from the Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan. Local troops utilized the downtown library location’s meeting rooms on several occasions to host first aid and CPR classes, as well as other meetings. In their nomination letters, troop leaders wrote, “Willard Library makes you feel that you are in a safe environment. They have security guards on the premises. Staff ask if we are in need of anything.” Another said, “our service unit manager tells me that she uses their books regularly for camp recipes, teaching the girls about famous females in history, learning about and understanding diversity, learning about lesser known holidays, etc.” She continued, “I love our library, it is one of the best I’ve visited in our country.”  In her letter, one of the young girl scouts wrote “Willard Library has given our troop an area to help girls like me learn about nature and my environment. It was a safe and clean place to meet. Willard Library would be an outstanding candidate for the appreciation pin.”  Library director Matt Willis, who accepted the award on behalf of the library, said “”We’re thrilled to be a resource for community groups. Our meeting rooms are perfect for small to mid-sized gatherings, accommodating up to a dozen people. We’re so happy this has met the Girl Scouts’ needs.”

We are thrilled to introduce a new, upgraded fish tank that brings a touch of nature to the library space. Located on the downtown location’s main floor, the tank is home to a variety of colorful fish that greet visitors of all ages. The tank was custom-built by Aqua Blue Aquarium Solutions in Grandville, Michigan, and the exquisite oak stand was crafted by master woodworker Jeanette Elliot of Elliot’s Woodshop in Battle Creek. Check out our guide below for a highlight of some of the species who call the tank home. Watching the fish is a wonderful way to relax and reduce stress. The new attraction has been incredibly popular with visitors of all ages, especially children, who find this underwater world truly magical. Stop by and meet our new library friends!