Prince William County Announces New Library Director

Prince William County is pleased to announce the appointment of Jennifer Patterson as the new Library Director, effective Sept. 16, 2024, following an extensive national recruitment process.

Patterson most recently served as the Library Services Director for the City of Thousand Oaks in California and brings a wealth of experience from her previous roles, including Deputy Library Director in Greensboro, North Carolina, as well as Library Director at both Ascension Parish Library in Gonzales, Louisiana, and Albemarle Regional Library in Winton, North Carolina.

As the new Library Director for Prince William County, 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, and planning and directing the work of library staff. She will also act as a 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 thorough recruitment process that included input from the Library Advisory Board and listening sessions with library staff.

"We are excited to welcome Ms. Patterson to Prince William County," said County Executive Chris Shorter. "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 University, a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and a Master’s degree in Management, Strategy, and Leadership from Michigan State University.