Helen Warner Branch library closing extended to Oct. 27

The closing of Willard Library’s Helen Warner Branch due to COVID-19 has been extended through Tuesday, Oct. 27, library officials announced Monday.

“Unfortunately because of a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, we will keep the branch library closed through Oct. 27,” Library Director Cathy Lucas said. “We hope to reopen the branch library on Wednesday, Oct. 28, when we are able to resume adequate staffing.”

On Friday, Lucas announced that the branch library will be closed through Tuesday, Oct. 20, because of a possible COVID-19 exposure while awaiting test results.

Willard Library downtown, 7 W. Van Buren St., remains open. Onsite Library Express Services are available Monday through Friday from noon to 6 p.m. Also, curbside service will be available from Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to noon and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

While the branch library is closed, materials may be returned to the outside drop boxes or downtown.

Materials currently on hold for pickup at the branch will be extended for a week after the branch reopens.

In addition, guests with branch holds may call 269-968-8166, ext. 513, and ask to have their holds sent downtown for pickup. New holds may be placed for immediate pickup downtown, or at the branch for pickup following reopening.

Lucas said the library administration continues to follow its Reopening and COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan and the SARS COV-2 Preparedness and Response Plan (MIOSHA). 

Before reporting to work, all library employees complete a screening tool for principal COVID-19 symptoms, exposure to an individual with COVID-19, and a positive diagnosis of COVID-19.

In addition, all materials, including books, DVDs, and CDs, are quarantined for 96 hours as recommended by the Michigan Library Association before being checked in.

Updates on the reopening will be shared at willardlibrary.org and on the library’s Facebook page.

Virtual Grief Support Activities for Youth and Their Families

The world is changing, and everyone is adjusting to a new normal, which can be challenging. Miss Stephanie will lead a four-part, grief-education series for those in kindergarten through 12th grade and their families.

Each month, she will offer strategies to cope with grief and provide memory-making activities that will allow youth and families to grieve together.

After participants register their families for each month's program, they will receive a Google Hangout link. In addition, registrants will be asked to indicate which library they would like to pick up art supplies and resources for the program from.

Mondays, 6:30 p.m.,
To register click on the date:
Oct. 26,
Nov. 23,
Dec. 14,
Jan. 11,
Google Hangouts

Take and Make Craft Bags

Pick up a Take and Make Craft Bag from the Willard Library Circulation Desk or the Helen Warner Branch, and then watch the video to learn how to make the craft.

Vinyl Pumpkin Decoration
This class will be vinyl application 101. Use a precut adhesive vinyl design to decorate your pumpkin at home. Either a real or a faux pumpkin works. It will last more than one season if you spend a little extra money for a faux one. Participants need to supply their own pumpkin. We’ll go through commonly asked questions about vinyl and give tips on how to apply vinyl to an uneven surface.

  • Tuesday, Oct. 13: Craft bags available at both libraries,
  • Monday, Oct. 26, 7 p.m.,
  • Willard's Facebook page and YouTube channel

Take and Make Craft Bags

Pick up a Take and Make Craft Bag from the Willard Library Circulation Desk or the Helen Warner Branch, and then watch the video to learn how to make the craft.

Vinyl Pumpkin Decoration
This class will be vinyl application 101. Use a precut adhesive vinyl design to decorate your pumpkin at home. Either a real or a faux pumpkin works. It will last more than one season if you spend a little extra money for a faux one. Participants need to supply their own pumpkin. We’ll go through commonly asked questions about vinyl and give tips on how to apply vinyl to an uneven surface.

  • Tuesday, Oct. 13: Craft bags available at both libraries,
  • Monday, Oct. 26, 7 p.m.,
  • Willard's Facebook page and YouTube channel

Take and Make Craft Bags

Pick up a Take and Make Craft Bag from the Willard Library Circulation Desk or the Helen Warner Branch, and then watch the video to learn how to make the craft.

Vinyl Pumpkin Decoration
This class will be vinyl application 101. Use a precut adhesive vinyl design to decorate your pumpkin at home. Either a real or a faux pumpkin works. It will last more than one season if you spend a little extra money for a faux one. Participants need to supply their own pumpkin. We’ll go through commonly asked questions about vinyl and give tips on how to apply vinyl to an uneven surface.

  • Tuesday, Oct. 13: Craft bags available at both libraries,
  • Monday, Oct. 26, 7 p.m.,
  • Willard's Facebook page and YouTube channel

Community Conversation: ‘Raising White Kids'

During October, Willard will offer a weekly discussion of "Raising White Kids" by Jennifer Harvey. The book is "a guide for families, educators, and communities to raise their children to be able and active anti-racist allies." The goal is to equip parents with effective strategies to begin having difficult conversations about race and motivate them to do the work. Alisha Daugherty, a Willard youth services librarian, and Nicole Rinckey, an early childhood education specialist at the Calhoun Intermediate School District, will be the moderators. Libraries are for everyone, and so is this book club. All voices are welcome and needed; we are all affected.

The book may be checked out from the library or downloaded from Hoopla.

Please register to receive the link to Google Hangouts. Registration is limited to 10.

Tuesdays, 6 p.m.,
Oct. 27

Finding Black Ancestors

Noted genealogist Rozlyn Kelly will discuss the unique challenges of African American genealogical research, share recent history, and provide resources. In addition, she will present a case study of finding freedom seekers (Underground Railroad), free blacks, and enslaved people. Kelly is an attorney with a passion for family history. She is president of the Farmington Genealogical Society and serves on the executive board of the Michigan Genealogical Council as vice president. For more than 20 years, Kelly has been conducting genealogical research.

Tuesday, Oct. 27, 6 p.m.,
Streaming live on Willard's Facebook Page, You Tube, Twitter, and website

Family Programs

School Age Programs

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