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© 2025 Prince William Public Libraries
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Welcome to "Important Library Stuff," the podcast where we dish the inside scoop on all the stuff that happens at Prince William Public Libraries (PWPL) – and trust us, it's a lot of stuff. We've got 12 branches strewn across Prince William County and the City of Manassas, so you know there's bound to be some intriguing goings-on. We're your one-stop shop for all the PWPL news that's fit to broadcast.
30 Episodes
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Winter Reading starts on January 1! Get a head start on tips (and many, many book recs) for summiting the challenge from Kristen Burnham and Amanda Thompson on this month's episode.
Cheers and bon appétit! Discover cooking, baking, and mixology resources at the library with Dumfries Library's Kelly Goff and Central Library's Wendy Weldon.
Are you ready to take your reading to the next level? Prince William Public Libraries invites students in grades K–12 to “Level Up Your Reading,” a gamified reading challenge to track minutes, earn prizes, and work your way toward a grand prize drawing! Learn all about it from librarians Kristen Burnham and Heather Wallace. Thank you to our Level Up sponsors, Amazon and individual donors.
With our Summer Reading program theme, Color Our World, we've embraced the arts this year! But did you know there are always opportunities to create and appreciate art in our libraries? Joining your host, Emily Bickers, is Manassas City Library manager Lena Gonzalez Berrios, Central Library librarian Rachel Rivero, and our special guest: muralist Nick Zimbro. We discuss how to get creative in the library and Nick's 150-foot mural that he just completed on the side of Central Library.
Summer Scares is back and hungry for more at PWPL this month! Hear from 2025’s Summer Scares Spokesperson and #1 New York Times best-selling author Kendare Blake after chatting with librarians Matt and Rosanne about all things horror at PWPL this month.
Get ready to fill your TBR with book recommendations for all ages from Kristen and Ginger as we discuss this year's Summer Reading Program: Color Our World. Thank you to Amazon for being our Naming Sponsor for our third consecutive summer and thank you to our Platinum Sponsor, Bricks & Minifigs Woodbridge, who donated a gift card for a free LEGO minifigure to everyone who completes Summer Reading. See all sponsors and sign up starting June 16 at pwcva.gov/summerreading.
Books can take you on a journey without leaving your chair, but they also make great companions for road trips! Learn about all the resources PWPL has to make your summer road trips entertaining, what our Mobile Library is up to with Outreach Library Technician Christina Trotter, and also how Prince William County’s Department of Transportation supports your travels by car, bike, and foot with Senior Communications Analyst Gretchen Johnson.
U.S. Passport Services have returned to select libraries at PWPL! Hear all about it from Julia and Natalie. Check out our website and travel.state.gov to download forms, double check your documentation and needed payments, and to make an appointment.
Stuck in a reading rut? Or just want to branch out and discover something new? Hear how Kirk and Shannon pick the books they read and learn about all the resources the library has to help you discover your next favorite read.
Our special guest this epsiode is Jennifer Patterson, who became Prince William Public Libraries’ Director in September of last year. From what she envisions for the future of PWPL to her favorite snack – with a lot of book discussion in between – learn all about Jennifer!
Special guest alert! King Avalanche, the yeti mascot of our Winter Reading program, has dropped in to share what's in store for everyone this year. Sign up now in any library or through pwcva.gov/library.
Are a small business owner or looking to become one? Learn about all the free resources Prince William County has to offer small businesses and nonprofits with Kathy from MAGIC (PWPL's Management and Government Information Center) and Clarice from the Department of Economic Development.
The Friends of the Library play a critical role in making Prince William Public Libraries fun and vibrant with fun programs and inviting spaces! Learn all about what they do and how you can get involved in this month's episode featuring Carol from the Chinn Park Friends group and Erika from our Financial Services Division. Make sure to celebrate National Friends of the Library Week with us later this month, October 20-26.
Greer and Joanna discuss all the ways the library supports exercising both the mind and body for older adults in this month's episode.
From digital resources to in-person spaces and materials, Prince William Public Libraries is here to support students of all ages as they head back to school! Learn all about what we have to offer with librarians Amanda and Elizabeth.
For the first time ever, PWPL is celebrating the national Summer Scares program from the Horror Writers Association! Join as we chat about all things horror with librarians Matt and Rosanne. Midway through, we are joined by special guest and 2024 Summer Scares spokesperson, author Clay McLeod Chapman! Ask questions to Clay McLeod Chapman yourself when he visits Haymarket Gainesville Library this Saturday, July 6, at 6 p.m.
Adventure Begins at Your Library is the theme of this year's Summer Reading Program, which lasts from June 10 – August 11. Learn all about the program from Kristen and Greer and get tips for becoming a finisher and earning a free book.
Learn all about our 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program, story times, and get tips for developing pre-reading skills with your preschooler from library staff members Amanda and Rosanne. Listen till the end to hear directly from 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten participants Max (age 5) and Cora (age 8)! Learn more about 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten and see the schedule for upcoming story times.
Have you ever wanted to join a book club? Hear from library book club hosts Jeanine and Sunny what they're all about then find one (or two...or three) that speaks to you on our website: Library Book Clubs.
It's almost Earth Day! From turning plastic bags into benches to adding gardens and story trails to our green spaces, discover some of the initiatives PWPL has taken on to move towards a sustainable future with Robin and Branddon from our Environmental Work Group.
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