Pr. Wm. County reports hiring new library director

Prince William County has announced Jennifer Patterson as the new Library Director, effective Sept. 16, 2024, after an extensive national recruitment process, according to a news release.

Patterson most recently was Library Services Director for the City of Thousand Oaks in California and has previous experience, including Deputy Library Director in Greensboro, NC, as well as Library Director at Ascension Parish Library in Gonzales, LA, and at Albemarle Regional Library in Winton, NC.

As the county’s new Library Director, Patterson will oversee a $23 million budget, a team of 207 employees, 12 branch locations and a bookmobile. Her responsibilities will include managing library system operations to meet the needs of the community, reviewing administrative operations and performance data, developing procedures, as well as planning and directing the work of library staff. She will also act as liaison to the Prince William Public Libraries’ Foundation and Friends of the Prince William Public Libraries to support the mission and services of the library system.

Patterson was selected after a recruitment process that included input from the Library Advisory Board and listening sessions with library staff, the county’s news release said.

County Executive Chris Shorter was quoted as saying, “Her extensive experience in library system management, innovative leadership, as well as her customer-focused approach to public service align with our vision of delivering outstanding services to our community and employees.”

“I am honored to serve as the next Library Director and to work with the residents of Prince William County,” said Patterson. “I look forward to connecting people, sharing knowledge, and fostering ideas that enrich lives and strengthen our community in an inclusive environment.”

Patterson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Winston-Salem State University, a Master’s degree in Library and Information Studies from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and a Master’s degree in Management, Strategy, and Leadership from Michigan State University.