Start the School Year With a Visit to the Library

Students are planning for the new school year this month, and while you’re running around for new backpacks and shoes, don’t forget another important back-to-school stop: your library! Prince William Public Libraries offer a range of programs, resources, and services to help ease the transition back into the classroom.

Programs with P(r)ep!

Let’s start with an ending: Summer Reading officially ends on Sunday, August 17, so you still have plenty of time to read 500 minutes to claim your free book to keep!

Chinn Park Library has two upcoming programs, perfect for students: Ricky’s Big Bus Adventure and Bus Tour welcomes children ages 3–6 for a special story time that teaches them about bus safety, followed by a tour of an OmniRide bus. If you miss this program, it will be offered again on Tuesday, October 21, at 10:30 a.m. at Manassas City Library.

For teens entering high school, Chinn Park Library is offering Go2Support’s High School Crash Course on Saturday, August 2, at 2:00 p.m. This student-led information session gives teens the opportunity to ask questions and hear helpful hints from peers—everything they need to feel confident and prepared on the first day of high school.

Has your child ever expressed interest in robotics or technology? Visit Haymarket Gainesville Library on Saturday, August 9, at 10:30 a.m. for a FROGbots Robotics Demonstration. Haymarket Gainesville also welcomes young visitors for Kindergarten Camp on Thursday, August 14, at 1:00 p.m. Fall-bound kindergartners can participate in fun, interactive activities that promote literacy, learning, and essential school-readiness skills.

Adults, we didn’t forget about you. Lake Ridge Library has Brain Games Challenges through Saturday, August 16. If you love crosswords and puzzles, be sure to stop by anytime to complete the challenges for the chance to win a prize.

Resources that Make the Grade

PWPL adds new titles to its collection every week. To stay up to date—and be first in line on the Holds List—sign up for Wowbrary. Wowbrary sends free weekly emails about PWPL’s newest additions. Visit pwcva.gov/library and click “Wowbrary Recommends” to get started. Just enter your ZIP code, select “Prince William Public Libraries,” and enter your email address to subscribe. With genres listed along the left-hand column, Wowbrary is a great way to discover titles for school projects or personal learning.

PWPL’s Digital Library also offers many learning resources. The Homework section includes Access Video on Demand, which features thousands of educational videos, and databases such as Academic OneFILE Select and JSTOR for access to scholarly journals. If you need a little extra support, Brainfuse HelpNow connects you with live educators for homework, writing, and research help—free and available seven days a week from 2:00–11:00 p.m.

Study, Play, Discover—All at the Library

Need a quiet space to study or a small room to collaborate with friends before an upcoming test? Several PWPL locations offer reservable study rooms. You can book one easily through the PWPL app or by visiting pwcva.gov/library.

Looking to take a break from the books? Montclair Library’s Gaming Lounge features a Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5, along with a variety of games and cozy seating. For hands-on learners, the makerspaces at Bull Run and Central Libraries offer creative experiences and programs. Check out upcoming programs by picking up Explore magazine or visiting the Online Events Calendar and selecting “Makerspace” under Event Type.

Don’t forget: our librarians are here to help—whether you need help finding a source, navigating a database, or just need a good book recommendation.

This school year, one of the smartest tools in your backpack isn’t found in a store—it’s your library card. Make the most of it by exploring everything PWPL has to offer.