Shelf. Life

During April, Willard Library, in partnership with Ypsilanti District Library, launched the TALK Program (Talk and Learn for Kindergarten). The TALK program is a text messaging service that helps parents and caregivers with children 5 years old and younger get their little ones ready for school success. TALK is derived from the research-based progr...

Hello Educators! We know this year has been extremely hard on you and your students. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way all of us live our lives in so many ways – and one of the most impacted areas is education. While teachers have been working tirelessly to pivot to new ways of learning and teaching, Willard Library staff members have been ...

On April 2, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued an executive order to cancel all in-person classes for K-12 students for the remainder of the 2019-20 academic year. While we expected this decision, it has devastated students, parents, and teachers nonetheless. Parents are now responsible for remote learning and teachers are preparing to present curriculum...

Willard Library has something for youth of all ages. Ages 0-2 years can participate in Babytime, which takes place at 11 a.m. Thursdays at the Helen Warner Branch. Babytime gives our youngest guests opportunities to talk, sing, play, read, and write. Our Little Explorer Story Times focus on building family literacy and language skills. These s...

A couple of months ago, one of my favorite authors came out with a new book, and I really wanted to read it. Because I was not a part of Willard's Adult Favorite Authors Club, I was placed at the bottom of the holds list of 200 library guests. I was heartbroken. It took nearly a month for me to check out this highly coveted title. During my wait, I...

School's almost out for summer! While many of us have vacations planned with our families, or we may be looking forward to relaxing in the sun, don't forget to take some time to read. Believe it or not, summer is a critical time for educational development. Richard Allington, a professor of education, says, "It is estimated that the summer slide ac...

As a child, one of my favorite places to visit was the library. The thought of using my very own library card, and checking out a book or two of my choice made me feel so grown up. Going to the library provided me with opportunities to experience a whole new world through books, which always has been very exciting to me. My childhood visits to the ...