New Library Director Chosen In Prince William County After Search

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA — After a national search to recruit a new library director, Prince William County has appointed Jennifer Patterson, effective Sept. 16.

Patterson was selected from a national recruitment process with input from the Library Advisory Board and listening sessions with library staff. She was most recently library services director for the City of Thousand Oaks, California and had previous roles as deputy library director in Greensboro, North Carolina, and library director at both Ascension Parish Library in Gonzales, Louisiana, and Albemarle Regional Library in Winton, North Carolina.

Patterson has a bachelor's degree from Winston-Salem State University, a master’s degree in library and information studies from the University of North Carolina Greensboro, and a master’s degree in management, strategy, and leadership from Michigan State University.

"We are excited to welcome Ms. Patterson to Prince William County," said County Executive Chris Shorter in a statement. "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."

As the library director, Patterson will oversee a library system with 12 branch locations and a $23 budget. The director's responsibilities include managing library operations to meet community needs, reviewing administrative operations and performance data, developing procedures, and planning and directing the work of library staff. She will also be liaison to the Prince William Public Libraries’ Foundation and Friends of the Prince William Public Libraries.

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