Important Library Stuff

Library materials delivered through the mail?! Learn about the Books by Mail program from PWPL's Community Outreach Services librarian Keri Gould. This free service is for residents of Prince William County and the City of Manassas who are physically unable to visit the library due to a temporary or permanent disability or impairment. Learn more or apply for the program on our website.

Later this month is National Library Week (April 19–25) and this year's theme is "Find Your Joy." Emily travelled around the county to interview some of our amazing library staff who wanted to share what their library joy is – and some tips for you to find yours too! Guests in order of appearance: Michelle, Nichole, Caylin, Erika, Kirk, Lena, Tressie, Rosanne, Rebecca, Kristen, Clea, Wendy, Delwyn, Jennifer, Greer, Monika, John, Amy, and Sarah.

Cut! Librarians Claire Olson and Sarah Parker share their (often strong) opinions on books being adapted for the screen while mentioning all the resources the library offers for film lovers.

46 adults in our community have earned their high school diplomas through Prince William Public Libraries' Career Online High School program. Learn from graduate David Rose (class of 2025) and Lena Gonzalez Berrios, Manassas City Library manager and COHS committee member, about what earning a diploma means for the students, their families, and the whole community.

Winter Reading starts on January 1! Get a head start on tips (and many, many book recs) for summiting the challenge from Kristen Burnham and Amanda Thompson on this month's episode.

Cheers and bon appétit! Discover cooking, baking, and mixology resources at the library with Dumfries Library's Kelly Goff and Central Library's Wendy Weldon.

Are you ready to take your reading to the next level? Prince William Public Libraries invites students in grades K–12 to “Level Up Your Reading,” a gamified reading challenge to track minutes, earn prizes, and work your way toward a grand prize drawing! Learn all about it from librarians Kristen Burnham and Heather Wallace. Thank you to our Level Up sponsors, Amazon and individual donors. 

With our Summer Reading program theme, Color Our World, we've embraced the arts this year! But did you know there are always opportunities to create and appreciate art in our libraries? Joining your host, Emily Bickers, is Manassas City Library manager Lena Gonzalez Berrios, Central Library librarian Rachel Rivero, and our special guest: muralist Nick Zimbro. We discuss how to get creative in the library and Nick's 150-foot mural that he just completed on the side of Central Library.

Summer Scares is back and hungry for more at PWPL this month! Hear from 2025’s Summer Scares Spokesperson and #1 New York Times best-selling author Kendare Blake after chatting with librarians Matt and Rosanne about all things horror at PWPL this month.

Get ready to fill your TBR with book recommendations for all ages from Kristen and Ginger as we discuss this year's Summer Reading Program: Color Our World.Thank you to Amazon for being our Naming Sponsor for our third consecutive summer and thank you to our Platinum Sponsor, Bricks & Minifigs Woodbridge, who donated a gift card for a free LEGO minifigure to everyone who completes Summer Reading. See all sponsors and sign up starting June 16 at pwcva.gov/summerreading.

Books can take you on a journey without leaving your chair, but they also make great companions for road trips! Learn about all the resources PWPL has to make your summer road trips entertaining, what our Mobile Library is up to with Outreach Library Technician Christina Trotter, and also how Prince William County’s Department of Transportation supports your travels by car, bike, and foot with Senior Communications Analyst Gretchen Johnson. 

U.S. Passport Services have returned to select libraries at PWPL! Hear all about it from Julia and Natalie. Check out our website and travel.state.gov to download forms, double check your documentation and needed payments, and to make an appointment.

Stuck in a reading rut? Or just want to branch out and discover something new? Hear how Kirk and Shannon pick the books they read and learn about all the resources the library has to help you discover your next favorite read.

Our special guest this epsiode is Jennifer Patterson, who became Prince William Public Libraries’ Director in September of last year. From what she envisions for the future of PWPL to her favorite snack – with a lot of book discussion in between – learn all about Jennifer!

Special guest alert! King Avalanche, the yeti mascot of our Winter Reading program, has dropped in to share what's in store for everyone this year. Sign up now in any library or through pwcva.gov/library.

Are a small business owner or looking to become one?Learn about all the free resources Prince William County has to offer small businesses and nonprofits with Kathy from MAGIC (PWPL's Management and Government Information Center) and Clarice from the Department of Economic Development.

The Friends of the Library play a critical role in making Prince William Public Libraries fun and vibrant with fun programs and inviting spaces! Learn all about what they do and how you can get involved in this month's episode featuring Carol from the Chinn Park Friends group and Erika from our Financial Services Division.Make sure to celebrate National Friends of the Library Week with us later this month, October 20-26. 

Greer and Joanna discuss all the ways the library supports exercising both the mind and body for older adults in this month's episode.

From digital resources to in-person spaces and materials, Prince William Public Libraries is here to support students of all ages as they head back to school! Learn all about what we have to offer with librarians Amanda and Elizabeth.

For the first time ever, PWPL is celebrating the national Summer Scares program from the Horror Writers Association! Join as we chat about all things horror with librarians Matt and Rosanne. Midway through, we are joined by special guest and 2024 Summer Scares spokesperson, author Clay McLeod Chapman! Ask questions to Clay McLeod Chapman yourself when he visits Haymarket Gainesville Library this Saturday, July 6, at 6 p.m. 

Adventure Begins at Your Library is the theme of this year's Summer Reading Program, which lasts from June 10 – August 11. Learn all about the program from Kristen and Greer and get tips for becoming a finisher and earning a free book.

Learn all about our 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program, story times, and get tips for developing pre-reading skills with your preschooler from library staff members Amanda and Rosanne. Listen till the end to hear directly from 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten participants Max (age 5) and Cora (age 8)!Learn more about 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten and see the schedule for upcoming story times.

Have you ever wanted to join a book club? Hear from library book club hosts Jeanine and Sunny what they're all about then find one (or two...or three) that speaks to you on our website: Library Book Clubs. 

It's almost Earth Day! From turning plastic bags into benches to adding gardens and story trails to our green spaces, discover some of the initiatives PWPL has taken on to move towards a sustainable future with Robin and Branddon from our Environmental Work Group.

Summer Reading may be a bit farther off, but it would not be possible without our teen volunteers! Applications open April 22. Learn all about what it takes to be a teen summer reading volunteer (and the benefits that come with it) from teen volunteer guests Hamere and Savannah and PWPL staff members Kat and Rosanne. 

Celebrate manga, comics, and graphic novels at PWPL's first ever Lit Con! Running April 1 - May 4, see all the exciting programs on our website and listen now to hear about highlights from two of the librarians running it!

PWPL provides free aids to ensure patrons can use our materials and services easily and comprehensively. Listen now to learn more and then visit our Assistive Services (pwcva.gov) webpage.

Dogs in the library?!Find out why these licensed therapy dogs are there any how they can help improve childhood literacy as part of our Reading to Dogs programs. Featuring special guests from Manassas Therapy Dogs!See the schedule of upcoming Reading to Dogs programs at PWPL here: https://bit.ly/48Ca0GW.

Are you an English Language Learner (ELL)? Discover how PWPL can help you on your path to fluency with free tools and resources, as well as recurring ELL programs.

From D&D to video games, did you know your library is a gamer's paradise? 

There are so many ways for young adults to use their library! Learn all about it from two teens from Central's TAG and the librarian technician who runs Manassas City Library's TAG!NOTE: As of October 2024, YA Book Boxes are no longer available.

Are you yeti for winter? Make the cold days cozier by signing up for the Winter Reading Program at PWPL now through January 31. Sign up now. Kristen's books:The Book of Sirach "Frostblood" by Elly Blake"Keeper of the Lost Cities" by Shannon Messenger

What's better than free library resources? Free library resources you can access from anywhere, at any time. Discover what awaits you at on PWPL's Digital Library.Visit pwcva.gov/digitallibrary to try the resources mentioned.

It's our first podcast episode! It's about our makerspaces! Learn all about Hive 8051 at Bull Run Library and Studio 8601 at Central Library from the maker librarians who lead them.