Potomac News Online | Libraries
The Prince William Public Library System is fully Internet accessible at its four full-service libraries: Bull Run, Central, Chinn Park and Potomac. Internet surfers are able to access the system’s catalog and electronic resources from their home or office computer at?http://www.pwcgov.org/library.
Bull Run Regional Library, 8501 Ashton Ave., Manassas, (703) 792-4500.
The newest facility features a host of library services and programs. Foremost is the Ruth E. Lloyd Information Center, or RELIC, a special collection of non-circulating materials on the history of Virginia, Prince William County and the Civil War. RELIC also is a center for genealogical research. The collection includes local and family histories, photographs, microfilm, manuscripts, electronic databases, research guides and directories, historical atlases, passenger lists, census records, military records and Civil War narratives. Reach the RELIC service at (703) 792-4540.
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. (closed Sundays mid-June through mid-September).
Chinn Park Regional Library, 13065 Chinn Park Drive, Prince William, (703) 792-4800.
Chinn Park offers a special service called Management and Government Information Center, or MAGIC, for those who want to know about their government. The collection includes local, state, and federal laws and regulations, demographics, education, transportation, budgets, politics and more. Magazines include “Governing,” “American Demographics,” “Training and Development,” “American City and County” and the “National Journal.” The newspaper clipping file has articles on local issues from the major state and local newspapers back to 1991. Reach MAGIC staffers by dialing (703) 792-4880 or visit?http://www.pwcgov.org/library/magic.
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. (closed Sundays mid-June through mid-September).
Central Community Library, 8601 Mathis Ave., Manassas, (703) 361-8211.
This library is convenient to the Manassas and Manassas Park areas and offers a full range of library services. Central features a computer lab with 12 computers available for public use. These computers offer word processing and spreadsheet capabilities, as well as several other software applications and Internet access. The Computer [email protected] is available on a first-come, first-served basis and computers can be used free of charge except for a 15-cent fee for each sheet of printed paper. Classes featuring hands-on instruction on computer basics, mouse use, word processing, navigating the Internet, and numerous other topics are also offered.
Computer classes are free, but pre-registration is required. For information about the Computer [email protected] and its classes call (703) 361-8211.
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. (closed Sundays mid-June through mid-September).
Potomac Community Library, 2201 Opitz Blvd., Woodbridge, (703) 494-8126.
Potomac Community Library offers materials, services and programs to county residents on the east end of Prince William County. Librarians are on hand to answer questions and assist borrowers in finding the materials they need in an extensive collection of books, magazines, cassettes, CDs, books on tape, etc. Story hours for young children are held each week along with after-school programs on Thursdays for children ages 6-12.
Special programs for children, adults, and families are offered regularly and are listed in the monthly Calendar of Events. Free computer classes are held in The CyberSpace @ Potomac Community Library, a computer lab made possible through a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Members of the community are invited to join in the discussions at the Third Thursday Thrillers (Mystery Book Discussion Group) at 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month and the African-American Book Discussion Group which meets at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month and features the works of African-American authors.
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. (closed Sundays mid-June through mid-September).
NEIGHBORHOOD LIBRARIES
Neighborhood libraries are primarily browsing libraries. The library collection contains popular reading materials to meet the needs of the local neighborhoods and is shelved in a self help format. Free notary services are available at all six neighborhood libraries. Please note that during the Summer Saturdays (June-August) the hours for the Neighborhood Libraries are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Neighborhood Libraries are closed on Sundays and closed on Saturdays of all holiday weekends.
Dale City Neighborhood Library, 4249 Dale Blvd., Dale City, (703) 680-4716. Hours: Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Sunday.
Dumfries Neighborhood Library, 18007 Dumfries Shopping Center, Dumfries, (703) 221-2268. Hours: Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; closed Sunday.
Gainesville Neighborhood Library, James L. Long Memorial District Park, 4603 James Madison Highway, Haymarket, (703) 754-8862. Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Wednesday 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Sunday.
Independent Hill Neighborhood Library, George Hellwig Memorial Park, 14418 Bristow Road, Manassas, (703) 791-4469. Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Wednesday 1 to 7 p.m.; Friday 1 to 5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Sunday.
Lake Ridge Neighborhood Library, 12964 Harbor Drive, Lake Ridge, (703) 491-2218. Hours: Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday 1 to 5 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Sunday.
Nokesville Neighborhood Library, 12993 Fitzwater Drive, Nokesville, (703) 594-2124. Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Wednesday 1 to 9 p.m.; Friday 1 to 5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Sunday.
LIBRARY SERVICES
Things to check out: In addition to books and magazines, patrons can check out videos and DVDs, audio books, cassette tapes, compact discs, read-alongs, puzzles, slide projectors and overhead projectors at Bull Run, Central, Chinn Park and Potomac. Cassette tapes, read-alongs, puzzles, and compact discs are available for checkout at the neighborhood libraries. In addition, library patrons can learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation by checking out “Rescue Me” kits from any of the full-service libraries. Engravers are also available for check out at each library.
Special Programs: Each library offers a number of free programs throughout the year for preschoolers through adult; although registration may be necessary for some. Pick up a monthly Calendar of Events at your local library.
Web site,?http://librarycatalog.pwcgov.org: Provides access to the system’s catalog, calendar of events, electronic resources, newsletter, special library events, the library foundation, the Friends of the Library and book sales. Ask A Librarian is available through the Web site for quick answers to brief questions. Patrons can also place holds and renew materials through accessing the library Web site.
Book Discussion: Groups are active at Bull Run, Central, Chinn Park and Potomac libraries. Call the individual library for the times they meet.
Renewals: Renewal Line: (703) 792-4885; iPac:?http://www.pwcgove.org/library
Materials may be renewed in person, by telephone, or through iPac (on the Web site). All renewals require a current Prince William library card. Phone renewal requires a touch-tone telephone. Materials on reserve by another library patron may not be renewed.
Returns: Books and magazines can be returned to the most convenient library branch, or return them to one of two special book-return drops located at Manassas Commuter Rail Station, 9451 West St., Manassas or at the McCoart Administration Center, 1 County Complex Court, Woodbridge.
Please do not deposit audio-visual equipment, tapes and compact discs in a bookdrop; return them to the library when it is open.
Fines: Fines on overdue items accrue daily as follows: all adult, Young Adult (YA) and Children’s circulating library materials, including magazines and audiovisual materials, 20 cents per day, or a maximum fine of $ 5 per item; audiovisual equipment, CD players, CPR kits, engravers, and ILL materials, $1 per day, per item, or a maximum fine of $25 per item for audiovisual equipment and CPR kits; a maximum fine of $50 per item for compact disc players and no maximum fine for ILL materials. The fine for overhead projectors is $5 per day with a maximum fine of $50. The maximum fine for the engravers is $10.
Need extra help? For the visually impaired or disabled, large print books and other assistance services are available at the full-service libraries. A text telephone service is available at all full-service libraries. The system also offers the Talking Book Service funded through the Library of Congress. All library buildings are handicapped accessible. Signed interpretation for library programs is available if requested three weeks in advance of a program.
Where to meet: The library system offers meeting rooms for free to non-profit cultural and civic organizations at the Bull Run, Central, Chinn Park and Potomac libraries. Call those libraries for information.
Voters: Applications for voter registration are available at all libraries. Find out if you are eligible to vote by calling the registrar at (703) 792-6470.
Friends of the Libraries: Three Friends groups provide support to the entire library system – The Friends of Central and Bull Run Libraries, The Friends of Chinn Park Regional Library, and The Friends of Potomac Community Library. The Friends raise money through book sales and donate funds to support library programs and services. The Chinn Park Friends also operate the “FriendShop” at Chinn Park and profits are donated to the library. The Friends groups are 501 (c) (3) non-profit organizations. Applications to join the Friends are available from the library’s Web site.
Volunteers: Volunteers are always welcome to help staff the libraries. Call (703) 792-6201 for details.
The Prince William Public Library System Foundation, is a 501 (c ) (3) non-profit organization existing solely to solicit and accept tax-deductible gifts. The foundation was formed in 1997 and is governed by a Board of Directors composed of local community leaders. Call (703) 792-6158 for more information.