‘A reading revolution’ at Willard Library

Downtown Battle Creek Zine spoke with Director Matt Willis about literacy and community.

After more than two decades at Willard Library, Matt Willis became the library’s director in 2022.

Downtown Battle Creek Zine sat down with Willis to discuss his path to Willard, the library’s place downtown and how it helps Battle Creek thrive.

The following has been edited for length and clarity:

DBCZ: What first drew you to libraries — and what kept you at Willard?

MW: “My grandmother was bringing me to the library when I was a kid… that kindled my love for the library. She would bring me every week, and I would really get fixated on certain subjects — back then it was dinosaurs and history, World War I, World War II… I really looked forward to going to the library all the time.

I ended up going to Eastern Michigan University, got a degree in history… I was ready to deliver pizza… but my love of libraries never waned… I decided to go back to graduate school and got a degree in Library Science… then I saw a job opening for Willard, and everything just fell into place.

I love Battle Creek. I love the quality of life here. I love the people here. It’s like a big city in a small town all at once.”

DBCZ: Why does Willard remain important to downtown Battle Creek?

MW: “It is a place that a family can come… and you don’t have to buy anything. There’s no pressure, and it’s a stimulating environment. You bring your kids, there’s books, there’s the fish tank, there’s toys to play with… and nobody’s trying to sell you anything.

The other big part of that is the third space and the community hub… people can come here and grab tables and study and just have a place to hang out. It doesn’t cost anything.”

DBCZ: What do you want people to know about the library beyond books?

MW: “There is something for everybody. There’s author events. There’s things where you can passively go. And then there’s really active, participatory events too, with your creative space and fitness… yoga is super popular… the Willard walking club… and there’s lots of crafting and art. If we can’t do it, we’re going to find you who in town does.

People do a lot of printing from their phone down here… jumping on the computers and printing off documents. We can also fax and email that stuff.”

DBCZ: Why does reading matter in an attention economy — and how is Willard promoting literacy?

MW: “Reading long form, whether you’re doing it digitally or in a book, it’s like you get to choose what you’re putting your attention on. That is so much more empowering… that’s the way that we can really take back our attention. It’s almost like, ‘join the reading revolution’… (You) don’t want the algorithms.

We’re just launching an adult literacy component… in coordination with the Kalamazoo Literacy Council… if you’re an adult that wants to improve your reading, or if you know somebody who wants to improve their reading, just tell them to call the library. We’ll hook you up with one-on-one free tutoring.

Reading is everything… when you have a child, or reading as a family, reading is love.”

This article originally appeared in Downtown Battle Creek Zine and is republished with permission.