Longtime staff member retires from University Libraries

Kalamazoo, MICH.—After over 31 years of service to the University Libraries, Julie Hayward, manager, user services, will retire from Western Michigan University on July 31.

Hayward began her library career as a student employee working in WMU’s Education Library before moving over to Kalamazoo College Library after graduation. Hayward returned to continue her career at Western in 1995. She held several roles within the University Libraries, including circulation assistant supervisor and resource sharing assistant, before moving into manager roles in resource sharing and user services.

Hayward managed the Libraries’ InterLibrary Loan and reserves programs and provided expertise on several high-impact projects. The Libraries’ textbook reserves program and Open Educational Resources task force were two of her favorite initiatives because of the tangible impact on students experiencing financial challenges. 

“This initiative helped a lot of students who could not afford to purchase all the textbooks for their classes,” Hayward said. “Working with the Open Educational Resources Task Force was also a great experience, helping students get access to free or low-cost course materials.”

Hayward was also part of the onsite crew that helped keep the Libraries open during the COVID-19 pandemic, so students could access the resources and spaces they needed to learn.

Hayward shared that the support from the library community and “wonderful colleagues who have a shared vision of providing services to the campus and beyond” are two things she’ll carry forward as this chapter closes.

Heading into retirement, Hayward plans to travel, spend time with family and friends, including her sons who live out-of-state, and do more of the things she loves: golfing, hiking and, of course, reading.