PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – A short video created by a team at the county’s Prince William Public Libraries has taken the internet by storm, garnering more than 2.7 million views across social media platforms and capturing the attention of viewers from as far away as California.
At the center of the viral sensation is Gregg Grunow, the branch manager at Bull Run Library, who stars in a 12-line comedic reel written entirely in Gen Z slang. The video’s unexpected popularity has thrust both Grunow and the library system into the social media spotlight.
“It surprised me as well. I’ve never had a video up online before that I’m aware of,” said Grunow during an interview on the Potomac Local News Podcast. “It’s very surprising… flabbergasting, to use an older term.”
The video debuted the week of April 8 and has since been shared widely across Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, and even Reddit, where it appeared organically on multiple subreddits.
A Teen’s Vision, A Viral Hit
The idea for the video originated with a teen librarian at Bull Run Library, near Manassas, who had long envisioned a fun way to highlight the library’s offerings. The script was authored by Shreya, a teen volunteer who participates in the library’s advisory group, and brought to life by Emily, a media specialist on Rachel Johnson’s communications team.
“We are very proud of our digital communications efforts and our social media following,” said Rachel Johnson, communications manager for the library system. “But we’ve never seen engagement on this level before.”
The quirky script, which included phrases like “the new books ate and left no crumbs” and “slay,” was a foreign language to Grunow.
“I didn’t even know how to pronounce some of the words,” he admitted, explaining that he consulted the teen librarian for guidance. “No, I didn’t really understand what I was reading.”
But that unfamiliarity made the delivery even funnier, as Grunow recited the lines with dry, earnest timing, turning what could have been an inside joke into a viral cultural moment.
Though humorous, the video has serious underpinnings. It’s part of a broader push by the Prince William County Public Library System to connect with all demographics—especially teens.
“We want our libraries to be as vibrant as the greater Prince William community,” said Johnson. “That means recognizing how to reach all of our target demographics.”
Many branches, including Bull Run, are now creating dedicated teen spaces within their buildings. Projects like the viral video are one way to make young people feel welcome and included in the library community.
“We want teens to come in and feel like this is their community space,” Johnson added.
Community Applause, Global Reach
Grunow’s starring role hasn’t gone unnoticed. Since the video’s release, a library patron stopped by to ask about him, and a caller from California phoned in to offer congratulations.
“I’ve also gotten congratulatory emails from people in other county departments who I’ve never even met,” said Grunow.
A bloopers reel followed the original video, and while it hasn’t hit the same dizzying numbers, it has racked up its own audience and brought additional laughs to library fans.
“Greg has been such a good sport,” Johnson said. “Once we saw the script, we all just sort of knew—it was going to be Greg.”
The library system is preparing for its 2025 Summer Reading Program, which kicks off in June. This year’s theme, Color Our World, will carry forward the same energy and creativity showcased in the viral reel.
“We’re always looking at trends and asking what’s the next fun thing we can do,” Johnson said. “This video has been an amazing opportunity to engage with both our local community and a global audience.”
While no follow-up video is confirmed just yet, the team is clearly energized by the success—and ready to keep experimenting with creative outreach.
“It’s been such a wonderful jumping-off point,” Johnson said.
Grunow, for his part, remains humble about his sudden fame.
“This was my first video,” he said, still sounding a bit stunned. “It’s been shocking… and honestly, kind of amazing.”
LAKE RIDGE, Va. — Book enthusiasts from across the community are invited to stock up their shelves while supporting a good cause during the Spring Book Sale at Chinn Park Regional Library, hosted by the Friends of Chinn Park Library.
The annual sale, running from now through Saturday, April 26, 2025, features thousands of gently used books, DVDs, and more, all at bargain prices. Proceeds help support the library’s programming and resources.
On Thursday and Friday, April 24–25, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., it is open to everyone. Shoppers can browse a wide selection of fiction and non-fiction books, children’s titles, cookbooks, and more.
On Saturday, April 26, the sale wraps up with the popular Bag Sale from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., where customers can fill an entire bag of books for one low price.
Chinn Park Regional Library, located at 13065 Chinn Park Drive, serves the Lake Ridge and Prince William County community with a wide range of services, including a full-service children’s area, public computers, meeting rooms, and a variety of programs for all ages. The library is part of the Prince William Public Library system.
The Friends of Chinn Park Library, a volunteer-run nonprofit organization, supports the library through fundraising, advocacy, and volunteer efforts. For more information about the book sale or to get involved, email [email protected].
Enjoy tasty treats while chatting about this delightful, cozy mystery at 13051 Fitzwater Drive. Need the book? Stop by Nokesville Library to grab a copy, or check out the e-book or e-audiobook on Hoopla. Questions? Email [email protected].
Have a great local event coming up? Share it with the community for free! Submit your event quickly and easily using this link: https://form.jotform.com/221630757468058.
This December, Prince William County residents are in for a treat as two pastimes—reading and ice skating—come together at the Winter Reading Kick-Off event.
Hosted by Prince William Public Libraries (PWPL) and sponsored by the Prince William Ice Center in Dale City, the event promises an afternoon of fun for all ages on Sunday, December 1, from 1 to 3 p.m.
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Press release:
There's still time to swing by your library and get ready for the holiday season! Here’s the schedule:
- Wednesday, November 27: Libraries close early at 5:00 p.m.
- Thursday, November 28: Closed for Thanksgiving Day.
- Friday, November 29: Closed for the Thanksgiving holiday.
- Saturday, November 30: Dale City, Dumfries, Independent Hill, Lake Ridge, and Nokesville Libraries will be closed for the holiday weekend.
Heads-up! Chinn Park Library will be closed from Monday, November 18, through Sunday, December 8. Stop by today to stock up on books and resources!
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Press Release:
On Nov. 15, Prince William County will join communities nationwide to celebrate America Recycles Day (ARD). ARD, an initiative of Keep America Beautiful, has been an annual awareness campaign dedicated to promoting and celebrating recycling in the United States since 1997.
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Prince William County will celebrate America Recycles Day (ARD) on November 15, 2024, as part of a national campaign by Keep America Beautiful to promote recycling. County staff and Keep Prince William Beautiful volunteers will discuss recycling on November 13 at Chinn Park Regional Library and on November 15 at Central Library from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. People can also participate in the "I Recycle" pledge contest by November 20 at www.mwcog.org/recyclesday, with a chance to win a $300 REI gift card or, for one K-12 student, an additional $500 school recycling grant. For details on county recycling programs, visit www.pwcva.gov/recycling.
 On November 15, Prince William County will join communities across the nation in celebration of the America Recycles Day (ARD). ARD, an initiative of Keep America Beautiful is an annual awareness campaign dedicated to promoting and celebrating recycling in the United States since 1997.
To celebrate America Recycles Day, County staff and Keep Prince William Beautiful volunteers will be available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to talk with residents about recycling in Prince William County and the “I Recycle” pledge contest at Chinn Park Regional Library on November 13, and Central Library on November 15.
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At the October 15, 2024, meeting of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors, the county’s mobile libraries were celebrated for their vital role in delivering educational and health resources to underserved communities. These mobile units, known as the "13th branch" of the Prince William Public Library (PWPL), are helping bridge gaps in access to services and fostering community engagement.
Launched in March 2024, the state-of-the-art Mobile Library was officially introduced at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on February 21, 2024. County leadership, library staff, and community members gathered to mark the occasion, inviting attendees to tour the new addition to the library system. As part of PWPL's broader initiative, the mobile library is a critical component of the newly formed Community Outreach Services division. It aims to bring library materials, programs, and technology to areas that need them most.
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The Prince William Library Foundation mourns the loss of founding member and Board Secretary Joyce Eagles, who was instrumental in the organization’s activities and achievements since its inception in 1997.
From her obituary:
Joyce Eagles, 81, of Woodbridge, passed away on this July 24th, 2024.
Joyce was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, to Tirzah and Antranig Juskalian on April 12, 1943. She went to school in Belchertown, Massachusetts. She married Douglas Eagles on June 26, 1967 in Belchertown; they had 57 great years of marriage together. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a BA in Zoology. Joyce worked at the Belchertown State School helping mentally handicapped children for six years before moving on to other pursuits and to Iowa as Doug completed his PhD and post-doc work. There, their first son, Scott, was born in 1973.
Joyce and Doug moved to Manassas, Va. in 1974 and grew their family to another son, Ross, in 1978. Their family moved and ultimately settled in Woodbridge, Va. where they have lived for over forty years with travel to and from the area. Most of Joyce’s work has been as a volunteer, showing her passions for education, nature, history, conservation, and preservation.
Joyce Eagles served her community since 1990 on the Prince William Water Board of Directors. She was the first female board member and the longest serving board member with over 34 years of service. During that time, Joyce served as Chair for six years, Vice-Chair for eight years, and Secretary Treasurer for nine years. She was the Chair of the Audit Committee and participated in numerous community outreach events each year- including the ”Water Art Invitationals”. She provided valuable oversight and guidance- always caring about the customer, the community, and the employees she served.
Joyce supported Prince William Cooperative Extension’s and PW Housing Fairs’ community outreach- from teaching first home buyers financial planning to dressing as Glinda, the good witch, for “There’s no place like a home.” Joyce was a founding member of the Prince William Library Foundation in 1997 and served consecutively on the executive board of directors. Joyce loved our public library system and the many essential programs the Foundation was able to fund for our community..
Her advocacy was paramount from chairing the committee to analyze the expansion of development of the Manassas Battlefield to preserving the acres of the wetlands of the now Occoquan Bay Wildlife Refuge, Joyce has been recognized as a supporter of the environment.
With several other community members, Joyce organized meetings to establish the Greater Manassas branch of the American Association of University Women in 1975 as one of its charter members. A life member of AAUW, she joined the Woodbridge branch in 1982 and actively supported STEM endeavors for science fair judging and career roles for girls at regional conferences. For AAUW of Virginia, she served as Parliamentarian for the state board.
Joyce is preceded in death by her parents Tirzah and Antranig Juskalian, her spouse’s parents Clyde and Helen Eagles, and her son, Scott Eagles.
She is survived by her husband Douglas, her son Ross, brothers Richard (Susan) and Andrew (Carolyn); nephews John, Russ (Clara) and Brett (Tara); nieces Kelly, Andrea and Tirzah; and great nieces Marlene, Vincent and Catalina – among the many immediate and extended family members.
Memorials may be given in her name to Virginia Hospital Center – https://vhchealthfoundation.org/; Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center – https://sentara.tfaforms.net/4709133 ; and The American Heart Association – https://www.heart.org/?form=FUNELYZXFBW The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the doctors and nurses of the Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington’s Intensive Care Unit and the emergency room doctors and nurses of Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center in Woodbridge.
Flowers may be sent to Mountcastle Turch Life Celebration Funeral Home, 4143 Dale Blvd, Dale City, VA 22193 in time with her August 9th Ceremony, from 2-4pm. Sympathy cards may be mailed directly to the family home.
Prince William County Public Library is hosting spine-chilling events as part of its Summer Scares series, promising a frightfully good time for all ages. The series, which runs from Friday, July 19, through the weekend, features a variety of events at several library locations.
Friday, July 19: A Full Day of Horror
The Summer Scares series begins today with a day packed with events across multiple libraries:
- Potomac Library: Adults can dive into a day of horror with the “2 Sentence Spooky Book Review: J Edition.” This event is a perfect opportunity for horror enthusiasts to share their thoughts on their favorite spooky reads.
- Haymarket Gainesville Library – Juvenile Books Area: Young readers aged 8-11 are invited to explore a special horror book display and write a two-sentence review for a chance to win a prize.
- Haymarket Gainesville Library – Teen Area: Teens aged 12-18 can participate in a similar contest, sharing their spooky book reviews and competing for prizes.
- Montclair Library: This location offers a variety of events for grades 6-12, ages 8-12, and adults, celebrating the horror genre with book displays and review contests.
- Chinn Park Library: Open to all ages, Chinn Park Library invites everyone to enjoy horror book displays and join in the fun of Summer Scares.
Saturday, July 20
The horror-themed activities continue on Saturday, with events running all day at the following locations:
- Potomac Library: Adults can again enjoy the “2 Sentence Spooky Book Review: J Edition.”
- Haymarket Gainesville Library – Juvenile Books Area Children aged 8-11 can check out the horror book display and enter their reviews to win prizes.
- Haymarket Gainesville Library – Teen Area: The teen contest continues, allowing ages 12-18 to share their spooky book insights for a chance to win.
- Montclair Library: This location will again cater to grades 6-12, ages 8-12, and adults, featuring horror book displays and review contests.
- Chinn Park Library: Open to all ages, this library will continue to offer horror book displays and encourage participation in Summer Scares activities.
Sunday, July 21
The weekend of horror concludes on Sunday with events at:
- Chinn Park Library: All ages are welcome to enjoy horror book displays and participate in the Summer Scares festivities.
Haunt the Library for More Fun
Library visitors can also visit the event page to see upcoming contests for kids and teens and an exciting adult horror trivia night. With events tailored for different age groups, everyone can find something to enjoy during the Summer Scares series.
“We’ve been having a frightfully good time with our Summer Scares displays!” said a library representative. “We encourage everyone to haunt our event page and participate in the fun.”
