Meet Prince William: Q+A with Jennifer Patterson, Library Director

Welcome back to a Potomac Local News series, “Meet Prince William.”

We’ve started this series so Prince William County residents can get to know the important people working behind the scenes to make the county run smoothly and efficiently. This is an opportunity to learn from experts on the county. Potomac Local has asked each leader the same questions in bold, and their respective answers will be found below.

Today, get to know Jennifer Patterson, the library director. Patterson has been with the county since September when she assumed her role. Most recently, she was the library services director in Thousand Oaks, Calif. Patterson has also served in various roles in Greensboro, N.C.; Gonzales, La.; and Winston, N.C.

How have your previous roles in libraries across the country helped prepare you for becoming Library Director?

Having served as a library director three times in systems of varying sizes — rural, urban and suburban — I have developed a deep appreciation for community engagement and a strategic mindset for balancing tradition with innovation. Each role I’ve held has helped shape my servant leadership approach. I’ve learned how to build meaningful relationships with staff, patrons and stakeholders while honoring the traditions that make each library unique. At the same time, I’ve gained experience implementing new services and technologies that help libraries evolve. This experience equips me to lead Prince William Public Libraries, where we serve a diverse population through 12 library locations and a Mobile Library. I have successfully navigated the challenges and opportunities that come with serving different populations, ensuring that library services remain relevant, inclusive and impactful.

If there’s one thing you’d like the community to understand about the role of the library in today’s society, what would it be?

The public library is more than just a place for books: It’s a vital community hub that provides access to information, technology and opportunities for lifelong learning. Today, libraries bridge the digital divide, support workforce development, promote literacy for all ages and offer a welcoming space for connection and discovery.

At their core, libraries are about equity: ensuring everyone, regardless of background or circumstance, has the resources they need to succeed. Whether it’s a student seeking homework help, a job seeker learning new skills or an older adult attending a community program, the library is there to meet people where they are and empower them to grow. I want the community to view their library as a place that evolves with them — always ready to serve, adapt and inspire.

What do you perceive as the most pressing challenges facing the libraries in Prince William County, and how do you intend to address them?

One of the most pressing challenges facing Prince William Public Libraries is ensuring equitable access to library services across a rapidly growing and diverse community. With 12 locations and a mobile library, we already serve a wide range of needs, but as the county expands, so does the demand for more library services in areas where physical branches may not yet exist.

I see this challenge as an opportunity to reimagine how we can deliver library services. By leveraging technology and innovative service models, we can expand our reach beyond traditional library walls. Pop-up libraries in high-traffic community spaces, strategically placed library vending machines that offer popular materials on demand, and enhanced digital resources will help bridge service gaps. Additionally, offering mobile and virtual services — such as expanded e-book and audiobook collections, online programming, and virtual reference services — ensures that residents can access library resources anytime, anywhere. By planning creatively and remaining adaptable, Prince William Public Libraries can continue to meet the community’s needs while positioning itself as a leader in modern library service delivery.

What programs, initiatives or projects are you most excited about for the library in the next few years?

I’m excited to share that PWPL will launch its Level Up Challenge this fall. Level Up is a new program designed to engage with and foster a love of reading for students in grades K–12. PWPL’s 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program is a wonderful way to introduce our youngest readers to pre-reading skills that provide a solid reading foundation, a key to school and learning success. While 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten remains popular, PWPL does not have a comprehensive literacy program after children enter kindergarten.

PWPL’s Summer Reading and Winter Reading programs also help bring readers of all ages into our libraries to enjoy our programs and read to earn prizes, but the Level Up Challenge will truly take reading to the next level! Stay tuned for more details in the coming months.

How do you envision strengthening partnerships with local schools, businesses and other organizations?

PWPL values our collaboration and community engagement with community members. Built into our mission is to bring people, information and ideas together, and we couldn’t do that without local schools, businesses and organizations. We work diligently to strengthen partnerships by expanding student access to library resources, collaborating with schools on curriculum-aligned programs and bringing mobile library services to classrooms.

Partnering with local businesses, we will support workforce development through job fairs, small business workshops and financial literacy programs. Engaging with community organizations, we continue to provide health and wellness initiatives, cultural programming, and social services resources. Sponsorships from businesses will ensure the sustainability of essential programs like Summer Reading and 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten and support PWPL’s outreach efforts. By fostering these partnerships, the library is a vital resource for education, economic advancement and community support.

What do you believe is the most important value the library should provide to its patrons in an increasingly digital world?

PWPL provide equitable access to information, technology, and lifelong learning opportunities in an increasingly digital world. As the greater Prince William community grows and evolves, the library will continue bridging the digital divide by offering free internet access, digital literacy training, and emerging technology through our makerspaces and STEM programs. Even our approach to local history and genealogy is influenced by advancements in technology. We recently introduced our new Digital Preservation Lab at RELIC — with technology and software designed to preserve historical documents without damaging originals, visitors can now digitize their personal archives for free at the library.

Beyond technology, the library remains a cornerstone of education, civic engagement and community connection — offering virtual and in-person resources that support students, job seekers and lifelong learners alike. By expanding digital collections, enhancing online services and fostering innovation, PWPL can ensure that all residents have the tools they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.