School Age Programs

Get ready to show off your most unique mask or a cool costume you’d like others to see. Put them on display during Willard Library's "Mask-Querade" Week. Participation is simple: Send a photo of yourself in your best mask (either COVID-19, scary, or fun)  or costume via message to Willard's Facebook page or email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please include your name (child's name) and age. Each photo will be included in a slideshow movie.  

All participants will be able to pick up a prize from either library, and a grand-prize winner will be selected in each age bracket:

• Birth to 4 years
• 5-12 years
• 13-18 years

Rules: All costumes must be PG-13 or less. No nudity or risque costumes will be allowed.

Sunday, Oct. 25, through Saturday, Oct. 31,
Willard’s Facebook Page

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

The library's Superhero Mascot Willard invites all kindergartners and those who've recently turned 5 years old to get their very own library card! Residents of the Battle Creek, Harper Creek, Lakeview, and Pennfield school districts are eligible for library cards. To sign up for a library card, youngsters may visit either location and need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian who has a photo ID with their current address.

Monday through Friday, Oct. 5-30,
noon to 6 p.m.,
Willard Downtown and the Helen Warner Branch

Whooo's ready for story time? Little owl needs your help finding his mommy in the book "Little Owl Lost" by Chris Haughton. Sing some songs, read the book, and learn some new rhymes about owls in this virtual story time. At the end, you will learn how to make your own owl friend from materials provided in the October Grab ‘n’ Go Bag. This story time is geared for prekindergartners through fourth grade and their caregivers.

11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28,
Live Streaming

If you’ve enjoyed watching Willard's virtual programs but lacked the materials to do the activities at home, we have a solution. Beginning Oct. 5, children’s Grab ‘n' Go Kits will be available at both libraries. These kits contain materials to participate in four amazing virtual programs. In addition, the kits are available through curbside service. When you call to pick up your holds, let library staff know you're interested in a kit. A limited number of supplies are available.

Grab 'n’ Go Kits contain materials for:

• Oct. 7: Maker Mornings With Nicole and Alisha
• Oct. 14: On the Road With Miss Stephanie
• Oct. 21: Art is for Everyone
• Oct. 28: Owl Story Time

If you’ve enjoyed watching Willard's virtual programs but lack the materials to do the activities at home, we have a solution. Beginning Nov. 2, children’s Grab ‘n' Go Kits will be available at both libraries. These kits contain materials to participate in three amazing virtual programs.

In addition, the kits are available through curbside service. When you call to pick up your holds, let library staff know you're interested in a kit.

A limited number of supplies are available.

Grab 'n’ Go Kits contain materials for:

• Nov. 4: Maker Mornings With Nicole and Alisha
• Nov. 11: On the Road With Miss Stephanie
• Nov. 18: Feelin’ Fishy Story Time

Explore the fun world of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) with Nicole and Alisha each month. In November, we will be making zip lines! After Nov. 2, stop by either library location to pick up a Grab 'n' Go Kit to follow along with these Grab 'n' Go virtual programs, while supplies last.

Wednesday, Nov. 4, 11 a.m.,
Willard’s Facebook Page