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.