Cumming
Georgia
Forsyth County Public Library - Cumming Branch
Mission Statement:
Our mission is to provide access to materials, information, and programs delivered by a courteous and informed staff to all members of the Forsyth County community.
Forsyth County Library History:
Records indicate that there was some library service in Forsyth County in the 1920's. "Aunt Laura" Hockenhull had a private library where young and old could mingle and browse among the books. She also borrowed books and magazines from the Atlanta Public Library for which she charged a small fee to cover the cost of the forty-mile drive into Atlanta.
From the thirties to the mid-fifties, a library collection was housed in various buildings throughout Cumming. Summer reading the local PTA occasionally sponsored programs. Volunteer librarians and paid librarians (paid $75 a month) were responsible for circulation of the books and magazines. The majority of the funding was received from the Forsyth County Board of Education and from the County.
In 1938, the first formal Forsyth County Public Library was established by the Works Progress Administration. The building contained 600 volumes and these books were secured in a variety of ways during the early years. Donations were always a welcome source.
In 1940, a Summer Story Hour was held weekly on the Courthouse lawn and the Forsyth county Bookmobile covered 20 routes throughout the county as a result of WPA funds. During this time, magazines and "Gone With the Wind" were among the most popular items.
In the early 1950's, Zane Grey books were most popular. The library was open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays for four hours each day and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Forsyth County Library remained in operation until 1955 when it closed temporarily due to limited financing.
Mrs. Jean Potts became the first full-time librarian in 1957 and the Forsyth Branch of the Lake Lanier Regional Library System opened on June 2, 1959. More than 200 persons had library cards and circulation was never below 150 and ran as high as 198 some days.
Throughout the early sixties, business and community leaders tried to obtain federal and state funds for constructing a new library building. Finally, federal Library Services and Construction Act funds were obtained and the new library building was opened in March of 1967. The building was open 35 hours a week instead of 20 and the Story Hour was resumed.
Storytimes for children and classes for adults were held at the new building during the 1970s. A bookmobile operated throughout the Forsyth, Gwinnett, and Dawson county areas that comprised the Lake Lanier Regional Library.
Throughout the 70's and 80's circulation increased as the county grew from a primarily rural community to a suburban area of Atlanta. In the late eighties, about 3000 cards were being used and circulation was 62,000 a year. The library had been built to serve a population of 3,700 and the current population was 37, 794.
The need for expanded facilities in Forsyth County became evident and a bond referendum was passed in 1988. This referendum of $2,100,000 million was for materials and equipment. The State of Georgia provided a $2 million construction grant that enabled Forsyth County to construct a new building, approximately 26,000 square feet, in 1992 with greatly expanded technology and services. The new 25,000 square foot facility was opened on July 20, 1992. More than 200 persons attended the ceremony and 3500 books circulated that day.
The Sharon Forks Library was constructed to meet the tremendous population growth in the south end of the county. It opened on November 13, 2000.
By 2003 it became clear that demand for an enhanced web site that could serve as an "Online Branch" was growing, and efforts were focused toward development of such a web site. ForsythPL.Org is currently in the "building" stages and will continue to grow and improve.
Recent News
Forsyth County Public Library - Weekly Program Planner: October 20, 2022
Live Reptile Show Presented by Smithgall Woods State Park For All Ages Friday, October 21, 2022 11:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Hampton Park Library Join us for this super, slithery experience and see some of the coolest reptiles native to…
Read More »Forsyth County Public Library - Weekly Program Planner: October 13, 2022
Weekly Program Planner Featured library events happening through October 13, 2022 For a full list of all events, please visit our online Events Calendar. Preschoolers at Post For Ages 3-5 Friday, October 7, 2022 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Post…
Read More »Forsyth County Public Library News - October 2022
Click Here to view the Forsyth County Public Library News - October…
Read More »Forsyth County Public Library - Weekly Program Planner: October 6, 2022
Weekly Program Planner Featured library events happening through October 6, 2022 For a full list of all events, please visit our online Events Calendar. Big, Bad, Little Red Pig Show Presented by That Puppet Guy, Lee Bryan For All Ages…
Read More »Forsyth County Public Library - Weekly Program Planner: September 29, 2022
Weekly Program Planner Featured library events happening through September 29, 2022 For a full list of all events, please visit our online Events Calendar. Preschool PlayLab For Children 3-5 Years Old Friday, September 23, 2022 11:00 a.m.…
Read More »Forsyth County Public Library Weekly Program Planner - September 15, 2022
For a full list of all events, please visit our online Events Calendar. Ready, Set, Preschool! For preschoolers 3-5 years old Friday, September 9, 2022 11:00 a.m. Hampton Park Library Join us for a morning of learning through play!…
Read More »Forsyth County Public Library Happenings - September 2022
Forsyth County Public Library Happenings - September 2022 In addition to being National Potato Month, National Sewing Month, and Save Your Photos Month, September is also National Library Card Sign-Up Month! If you're reading this…
Read More »Forsyth County Public Library Weekly Program Planner - September 1, 2022
Click Here to view the Forsyth County Public Library Weekly Program Planner - September 1,…
Read More »Forsyth County Public Library Weekly Program Planner: August 25, 2022
Great Pollinator Census For All Ages The Great Georgia Pollinator Census is a citizen science project created by the University of Georgia where Georgians count the insects that land on a chosen pollinator plant for 15 minutes and put the…
Read More »Forsyth County Public Library Weekly Program Planner: August 18, 2022
Handcrafted @ Hampton Park For Adults Wednesday, August 17, 2022 1:00 p.m. Hampton Park Library Come and get crafty in our adult craft program. This month we will be making Sea Glass Vases! We will be working with paint, so be sure to wear…
Read More »Forsyth County Public Library Weekly Program Planner: August 11, 2022
Click Here To View The Forsyth County Public Library Weekly Program Planner: August 11,…
Read More »Forsyth County Public Library News - August 2022
They say all good things must come to an end, and our Oceans of Possibilities Summer Reading Program is no exception. This summer 7,017 participants of all ages read a total of 89,368 books and spent 5,136,978 minutes reading between May 25 and…
Read More »Forsyth County Public Library Weekly Program Planner - July 28, 2022
Click Here To View Forsyth County Public Library Weekly Program Planner - July 28,…
Read More »Forsyth County Public Library Weekly Program Planner - July 14, 2022
Click Here to view the Forsyth County Public Library Weekly Program Planner - July 14,…
Read More »Forsyth County Public Library : Weekly Program Planner - July 7, 2022
Click Here To View Forsyth County Public Library : Weekly Program Planner - July 7,…
Read More »Forsyth County Public Library - July is a Hoot
I've been to many library programs in my career at Forsyth County Public Library, but hearing the collective gasp of 223 people upon seeing an owl outstretch its wings just a few feet away has got to be one of my new favorite library memories. …
Read More »Forsyth County Public Library : Weekly Program Planner - June 16, 2022
Pirates Lost at Sea: Storytelling STEAM from Talewise Friday, June 17, 2022 Two Shows: 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Sharon Forks Library Ahoy there, matey! Set sail with us on a thrilling action-packed adventure about a crew of…
Read More »Forsyth County Public Library : What's So Funny This Summer
We're a couple of weeks into summer break 2022 and one thing is abundantly clear: SUMMER IS BACK @ FCPL and it's better than ever! "I haven't laughed this hard in years," beamed one patron after a Summer Reading Kickoff Event earlier this month.…
Read More »Forsyth County Public Library : Weekly Program Planner - June 2, 2022
Using Sonar Equipment for Fishing Sunday, June 5 19, 2022 3:00 p.m. Cumming Library With new Side and Down Scan imaging, anglers can search to depths of 300 feet and to the sides of the water column 300 feet each way. Join Ken…
Read More »Forsyth County Public Library : Weekly Program Planner - May 26, 2022
Register Now for Summer Reading Fun! Oceans of Possibilities await you at the Forsyth County Public Library this summer! Enjoy Summer Reading Fun activities for children, teens, and adults all summer long. Registration is open May 1-July…
Read More »Forsyth County Public Library : Weekly Program Planner - May 5, 2022
Click Here to view the Forsyth County Public Library : Weekly Program Planner - May 5,…
Read More »Forsyth County Public Library Prepare To Be Amazed This May
Click Here To View The Forsyth County Public Library Prepare To Be Amazed This…
Read More »Forsyth County Public Library : Weekly Program Planner - April 28, 2022
Click Here to view the Forsyth County Public Library : Weekly Program Planner - April 28,…
Read More »