Prince William Public Libraries will start the new year with a new Strategic Plan focused on leveraging the successes of the 2019 – 2023 Strategic Plan. The five-year Strategic Plan will provide PWPL staff, stakeholders, and community partners with a path toward its mission to be the hub connecting people to the transforming power of information. The 2024 – 2028 Strategic Plan outlines six strategic goals to enhance library programs, services, and resources for more than 500,000 residents in Prince William County and the City of Manassas.

The Strategic Goals include:

• Technology and Digital Inclusion
• Outreach and Community Engagement
• Inviting Spaces
• Community Responsive Enrichment
• Accessible Resources and Collection
• Approachable, Adaptive Experts

The Strategic Goals are intended to enhance the previous five years’ successes, including opening Manassas City Library, its newest branch, in February 2021 and going fine-free in July 2021 to remove barriers to access. While PWPL had many achievements since the implementation of the last plan despite the pandemic, library staff and the public agreed there are more opportunities to build community in a welcoming, inclusive environment.

“While our Strategic Goals will continue our progress from the last five years, our approach will be nothing short of innovative, and PWPL will continue to evolve to meet the needs and interests of our community,” said Library Board of Trustees Chair Brian Murphy. “The next five years promise to be exciting for our libraries.”

Community engagement is an ongoing priority for PWPL, and the community’s input on the Strategic Plan is no exception. In fall 2023, visitors were asked to contribute to the plan’s development in the branches and online. They were provided with the Strategic Goals and were asked to share feedback on what they are interested in seeing in the libraries over the next five years. Staff and the Library Board of Trustees were also encouraged to provide input, and after the responses were compiled, PWPL staff finalized the plan in late 2023.

“The development of the 2024 – 2028 Strategic Plan truly was a comprehensive, collaborative effort,” remarked PWPL Director Deborah Wright. “Our libraries are an evolving, transformational representation of our community, and we believe this plan reflects that.”

The Strategic Plan can be read online, and additional feedback on the Strategic Plan and other library topics are always accepted and reviewed at librarycommunications@pwcgov.org.