Manassas To Get Library Branch In Agreement With Prince William

MANASSAS, VA — The Manassas City Council signed an agreement with Prince William County Monday to establish a new library branch in the city. The agreement, which still needs approval from the Prince William Board of County Supervisors, calls for the library to be located at 10104 Dumfries Road.

Under the agreement, Manassas would continue to be part of the Prince William County Library System. The new Manassas Branch would be run by the Prince William Library and be leased by Prince William County. City of Manassas residents will be able to continue using Prince William County libraries, including the new Manassas Branch in the Wellington Station shopping center.

The terms of the agreement between the city of Manassas and Prince William County are for 10 years, from July 1 through June 30, 2030, with a five-year automatic renewal term after that unless terminated by either party. The city’s current shared services library agreement with Prince William County expires at the end of June.

The city will purchase the furniture and fixtures, including shelving, for the completion of the build-out of the Manassas Branch with an estimated cost to the city of $500,000.

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors is scheduled to consider the agreement on June 16. Manassas currently does not have a library within its city limits.

“Having a branch in the city limits will provide city residents enhanced opportunities to take advantage of these resources as well as provide a great space for community activities,” Manassas City Manager W. Patrick Pate said Monday in a statement.

Under current agreements, Manassas and Manassas Park fund county library services based on their population compared to the total population of the region.

The new deal calls for the city of Manassas to pay $1.2 million annually, with a 3 percent escalator, to continue to be part of the Prince William County library system. Under the current agreement, Manassas paid the county $1.3 million in the 2020 fiscal year.

The Manassas Branch is scheduled to open to the public by Feb. 1, 2021.

Manassas Park, on the other hand, is going its own way, leaving an agreement with Prince William County to open its own library this summer. For fiscal year 2020, which ends June 30, Manassas Park paid the county about $530,000 for library services. For the next year, Manassas Park officials estimate the cost of running its own library will be about $300,000.

SEE ALSO:

• Central Library To Close Until Summer For Renovations
• Prince William Closes Libraries To Prevent Coronavirus Spread
• Manassas Considering Split With Prince William Co. Library