Prince William Public Libraries

Prince William Public Libraries is introducing automatic renewal beginning July 1, 2024.

What is automatic renewal?
Automatic renewal removes the need to manage eligible renewals of physical materials in your library account. Items eligible for renewal will be listed in notices three days before their due date and will automatically renew for the full three weeks from the due date. Items will auto-renew up to four times as long as they are still eligible.

Can I opt out of auto-renewal? Can I still renew items on my own?
You cannot opt out of auto-renewal. If you wish to renew an item prior to its auto-renewal date, you can do so via your account online through our Online Catalog at one of our libraries, or by calling our automated Telephone Renewal line at 703-792-4885. Items on hold for another patron cannot be renewed.

What items are auto-renewed?
PWPL will automatically renew eligible physical items. Physical items that are overdue are not eligible for auto-renewal.

What items are not auto-renewed?
American Girl Dolls, Fortunate Finds, Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspots, Nature Backpacks, Interlibrary loans (ILL), and YA Book Boxes are not eligible for auto-renewal. Items checked out from Digital Library apps (Libby, hoopla, Kanopy, Freading, and Overdrive) will also not auto-renew.

If a library card has $20 or more in fees, items on the account will not auto-renew.

How many times will an item auto-renew?
Eligible physical items will renew automatically up to four times.

Will an item be renewed if there is a hold on it?
No, items with a hold will not renew.

Will my library card also auto-renew?
No, library cards must still be renewed in person every five years. If a library card expires while items are checked out, the items will not auto-renew.

Questions? Please call your library branch for assistance.

What fees are charged if the books are not returned by the due date?
Prince William Public Libraries no longer charges fines for late items. Patrons will still be responsible for paying for lost or damaged items, but staff will work with patrons to clear old fees from their accounts after they return past-due items at any of PWPL’s 12 libraries.

If I lose a book, do I have to pay for it?
You are responsible for all materials checked out on your card and for any fees or lost book charges on your record.

How much does it cost to check out books?
You may borrow books or other materials for free. However, you are responsible for any fees on your record.

How many items may I check out?
A patron may have up to 100 items checked out on their record at any one time. To check out, you must present your library card or library card number.

Where do I return the items?
Items borrowed from one branch may be returned to any Prince William Public Libraries branch. Outside book drops are available at each branch for after-hours return of materials. A book drop is also located at the Manassas Commuter Rail Station at 9431 West Street, Manassas, the Virginia Gateway Shopping Center in Gainesville, and the McCoart Building, 1 County Complex Ct. Please note: Books are picked up from the book drops once a week. Please allow at least one week for them to be checked in.