Forsyth County Public Library
Forsyth County Public Library is a government-funded public library system serving Forsyth County, Georgia through five branches, a bookmobile, and digital platforms including a Polaris-powered catalog, OverDrive/Libby, and a mobile app.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersCumming, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Forsyth County Public Library does
Forsyth County Public Library (FCPL) is a publicly funded library system operated by Forsyth County Government and headquartered at 585 Dahlonega Street in Cumming, Georgia. It serves Forsyth County residents through five physical branches (Cumming, Denmark, Hampton Park, Post Road, and Sharon Forks), a bookmobile, and online platforms, delivering free access to physical materials, digital collections, public computers, WiFi, Chromebooks, and free programming across age segments. The technology stack is built on the Polaris integrated library system for catalog and account management, with OverDrive/Libby and the Palace Project powering digital lending (eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines), Britannica High School for research, and a Communico-powered website. A native mobile app (iOS/Android, current version v2026.10) provides catalog search, digital access, and event discovery, and ePrintItSaaS enables cloud-based mobile printing across all branches.
Revenue is overwhelmingly appropriation-based, drawn from Forsyth County Government and the State of Georgia with the fiscal year running July 1 through June 30 and budget categories for Personnel, Materials, and Operations. Ancillary revenue is de minimis and consists of $0.20/day overdue fines (capped at $5/item, account blocked at $15+), $60 annual out-of-county library cards, per-page printing fees ($0.25 black-and-white, $0.60 color), donations channeled via the North Georgia Community Foundation, affiliate referral income from an Amazon Associates "Buy Your Own" catalog feature, and proceeds from used bookstores operated by the independent FCPL Friends and Advocates nonprofit. Customer segments span all Forsyth County residents, with focused programming for children/families, teens, adults/seniors, patrons with disabilities (served by Mailbox Books home delivery), and underserved geographies (reached via bookmobile). Strategic partners include OverDrive, Palace Project, Communico, the Georgia Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Forsyth County Schools, and Unique Management Services for collections.
Forsyth County Public Library firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Forsyth County Public Library
- Legal name
- Forsyth County Public Library
- Website
- https://forsythpl.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1996
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Forsyth County Public Library is a government-funded public library system serving Forsyth County, Georgia through five branches, a bookmobile, and digital platforms including a Polaris-powered catalog, OverDrive/Libby, and a mobile app.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Forsyth County Public Library industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Library Services
- NAICS
- Libraries and Archives (519210), Libraries and Archives (51921)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC), Library User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support) (EDAEAGAL), Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA), Interlibrary Loan (ILL) & Resource Sharing Operations (EDAEAGAK)
Keywords
Where Forsyth County Public Library is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cumming
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices6 records
Markets served
Forsyth County Public Library business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Government Funding: Primary funding from Forsyth County Government and State of Georgia allocations. The fiscal year runs July 1 through June 30 with budget categories for Personnel, Materials, and Operations.
- Library Card Fees: Free library cards for eligible county residents. Out-of-county cards available for $60 annual fee.
- Overdue Fines and Fees: $0.20 per item per day late fees, maximum $5.00 per item. Additional fees for lost/damaged materials, returned checks ($25), and collection agency referrals.
- Donations and Grants: Financial donations managed through North Georgia Community Foundation. Library also receives grants from various sources.
- Amazon Associates Program: Affiliate advertising program where library receives a portion of sales when patrons use 'Buy Your Own' links in the catalog to purchase books from Amazon.com
- Printing Services: Printing fees: $0.25 per page black and white, $0.60 per page color
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Forsyth County Resident Library Card |
| Subscription | Annual | Out-of-County Library Card |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Printing - Black and White |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Printing - Color |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Overdue Fines |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels10 records
Forsyth County Public Library product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Forsyth County Public Library operates a public library system serving Forsyth County, Georgia, with five physical branches and a bookmobile. It provides free access to physical and digital library materials, eBooks/eAudiobooks, research databases, public computers, WiFi, Chromebooks, mobile printing, and educational programs for all ages. Outreach services include curbside pickup, Mailbox Books home delivery, and interlibrary loan, all funded primarily by Forsyth County Government and the State of Georgia.
Product overview
Forsyth County Public Library operates as a public library system serving Forsyth County, Georgia with five physical branches (Cumming, Denmark, Hampton Park, Post Road, and Sharon Forks). The library offers a dual service model combining physical materials and in-person services with a comprehensive digital platform. The core digital offerings include the FCPL Mobile App (iOS/Android), the eLibrary Portal (providing access to OverDrive/Libby, Palace Project, Britannica databases, and Experience Passes), and the Polaris-powered Public Catalog. Outreach services include a Bookmobile that serves communities throughout the county and Mailbox Books for homebound patrons. Technology services include public computer access with Chromebook lending, mobile printing ($0.25-$0.60/page), and free filtered WiFi. Interlibrary Loan connects patrons to materials from other library systems nationwide.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- FCPL Mobile App
- eLibrary Portal
- Public Catalog
- Bookmobile Service
- Curbside Pickup
- Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
- Branch Library Services
- Chromebook Lending
- Mobile Printing
- Library Programs
- Mailbox Books
- Library Card Membership
Quantifiable outcome
- 75 items maximum checkout per account
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Forsyth County Public Library
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Forsyth County Public Library technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
Feature7 records
Forsyth County Public Library partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.
- Amazon Services LLC Associates ProgramminorFCPL participates in the Amazon Associates Program through the 'Buy Your Own' feature in the library catalog. When patrons use these links to purchase books, Amazon donates a portion of the sale to the library at no cost to the patron.
- OverDrivecorePrimary eBook and eAudiobook platform provider for the FCPL eLibrary. OverDrive provides digital content through the Libby app, with 'Buy It Now' links in the catalog. Also provides Palace Project integration.
- Palace ProjectcoreDigital reading platform integrated into the eLibrary providing access to eBooks and eAudiobooks alongside OverDrive offerings.
- Georgia Library Service (GLS) for Blind and Print DisabledcoreState service providing accessible reading materials and assistive technology to patrons unable to read standard print. FCPL promotes GLS services and refers eligible patrons.
- FCPL Friends and AdvocatescoreIndependent nonprofit organization founded in 1996 dedicated to raising funds for programs, resources, materials, and staff. Operates used bookstores in four library branches, sponsors the annual Forsyth Reads Together author event, and coordinates volunteers.
- Forsyth County SchoolsmajorFCPL provides free library cards to all enrolled students and employees of public and private educational institutions in Forsyth County. The library also offers staff-facilitated tours for classes and groups.
- CommunicocoreWebsite platform provider powering the FCPL website, including event calendars, meeting room reservations, and other library services.
- Unique Management Services, Inc.minorCollection agency specializing in library patron debt collection. Patrons with $15+ in fines/fees or long-overdue materials are referred to this agency for collections.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Forsyth County Public Library competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Gwinnett County Public Library: Large suburban Georgia public library system serving a fast-growing metro Atlanta county; directly comparable to FCPL in mission, funding model (county government appropriations), multi-branch structure, and digital services via OverDrive/Libby.
- DeKalb County Public Library: Metro Atlanta public library system with multi-branch operations funded by county government; directly comparable to FCPL in operating model, community programming, and digital lending platforms.
- Cherokee County Public Library: North metro Atlanta suburban Georgia public library system serving a fast-growing county; comparable to FCPL in scale, suburban demographic profile, county-funded operating model, and multi-branch delivery.
- Fulton County Library System: Metro Atlanta public library system operating multiple branches with county government funding; comparable mission, branch-based delivery, and digital catalog services to FCPL.
- Cobb County Public Library: Adjacent metro Atlanta county library system with multiple branches and similar public funding model; comparable in scale, service mix, and patron demographics to Forsyth County.
- Hall County Library System: North Georgia regional public library system with multi-branch footprint and county funding; comparable in scope, geographic concentration, and community programming model to FCPL.
Broad incumbents
- New York Public Library: One of the largest public library systems in the United States with extensive digital lending and programming; comparable in mission and digital platform investment (OverDrive/Libby usage), though operating at far larger scale than FCPL.
- Brooklyn Public Library: Large urban public library system with extensive branch network and broad programming; comparable to FCPL in core public library mission but operates at substantially greater scale and in a denser urban market.
Others
- Public Library Association: Professional association under the American Library Association serving public libraries nationwide; comparable as the broader institutional ecosystem that FCPL participates in for standards, advocacy, and benchmarking, rather than as a direct competitor.
Regional players
- Dawson County Library: Smaller North Georgia public library system in a county adjacent to Forsyth; comparable public library mission and county funding model, though smaller scale than FCPL's five-branch footprint.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks4 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Forsyth County Public Library social profiles
Digital presenceForsyth County Public Library financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Forsyth County Public Library leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Forsyth County Public Library funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Forsyth County Public Library M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Forsyth County Public Library
What does Forsyth County Public Library do?
Forsyth County Public Library operates a public library system serving Forsyth County, Georgia, with five physical branches and a bookmobile. It provides free access to physical and digital library materials, eBooks/eAudiobooks, research databases, public computers, WiFi, Chromebooks, mobile printing, and educational programs for all ages. Outreach services include curbside pickup, Mailbox Books home delivery, and interlibrary loan, all funded primarily by Forsyth County Government and the State of Georgia.
Is Forsyth County Public Library a public or private company?
Forsyth County Public Library is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Forsyth County Public Library founded?
Forsyth County Public Library was founded in 1996. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Forsyth County Public Library based?
Forsyth County Public Library is headquartered in Cumming, United States, in the North America region.
How does Forsyth County Public Library make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Government Funding is the primary driver. The others are library Card Fees, overdue Fines and Fees, donations and Grants, amazon Associates Program and printing Services.
Who are Forsyth County Public Library's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Gwinnett County Public Library, DeKalb County Public Library, Cherokee County Public Library, Fulton County Library System, Cobb County Public Library and Hall County Library System. Broad incumbents are New York Public Library and Brooklyn Public Library. Public Library Association is listed as an others. Dawson County Library is listed as a regional player.
Does Forsyth County Public Library have an API?
No public API is recorded for Forsyth County Public Library.
What industry is Forsyth County Public Library in?
Forsyth County Public Library's product category is Public Library Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIACAO, Public Libraries & Information Services, with a secondary code of EDAEAGAC, Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management. Its NAICS code is 519210 and its SIC code is 8200.