About Us

A Note from the Director

Welcome to the Forsyth Public Library! Whether you are visiting us for the first time or are a frequent guest, I'm glad that you are here. Forsyth Public Library has something for everyone. I am exceptionally proud of the variety of resources we offer. Our collection of over 40,000 items includes books, DVDs, Playaways, magazines, newspapers, Roku sticks, puzzles, pickleball and disc golf kits and SO much more! I'd love to give you a tour and show you all that our library has to offer.

As our tagline suggests, there's always something to do at FPL. I invite you to check out our monthly calendar and stop in for one of the many events we offer for patrons of all ages. Whether you're a parent looking to bring your little one to Baby Talk and Story Time or are a retired adult looking for conversation at our weekly Coffee Talk or a creative outlet at one of our many art classes, I am confident that you'll find activities and programs that will serve you well.

As always, I love to hear from patrons about their experiences in our library and how we can better serve their needs. Please don't hesitate to contact me directly with any questions, suggestions or concerns.

Melanie Weigel, Library Director

Our Mission

The mission of the Forsyth Public Library is to provide an environment in which all patrons may access the materials, services, and programs they need for the pursuit of information, education, and entertainment.

Our Commitment

At Forsyth Public Library we are committed to providing:

  • Friendly, quality library service.

  • Quality print and non-print materials, including works of current fiction and popular culture.

  • Non-fiction materials that facilitate life-long learning at any age.

  • Preservation of materials and memorabilia that pertain to the founding and development of Forsyth.

  • Current library practices and trends, including technological advances, which enhance library services.

Fun Facts about FPL

  • We currently have over 40,000 items in our collection, and it continues to grow every day!

  • Our biggest program of 2024 was our Bluey Bash event featuring a meet & greet with Bluey, which brought in over 800 people to FPL.

  • Every Saturday morning from 10 AM - 12 PM, FPL hosts a different family-friendly drop-in event. Recent offerings have included Backpack Buttons, Bumper Stickers, Friendship Bracelets, Card-Making, Board Games, and MarioKart. Stop in every week for something new!

  • We opened our NEW Historical Archives space in 2024 to preserve the history of Forsyth and its people. The collection includes yearbooks, community newsletters, photographs, videos, community-related ephemera, and records dating back to the late 1800s!

Our History

Forsyth’s first library was begun in October 1901, when the Independent Order of Good Templars disbanded and voted to donate the remaining $35.08 remaining in their treasury to the establishment of a public library. Several committees were appointed to select and purchase books and acquire shelving. The library opened on November 16, 1901, but closed three years later due to a lack of interest.

An effort to provide local library service in the Village of Forsyth reemerged in September 1981 with the oncoming cessation of Rolling Prairie Library System’s bookmobile. On May 16, 1983, the Forsyth Public Library was legally established by Village Ordinance Number 265. The library was to be governed by a Library Commission and funded by the Village, which would “provide the necessary funds for the operation and maintenance of the Forsyth Public Library.” The library would be located at 268 S. Elwood Street on property once owned by the Mowry’s, an early Forsyth family whose descendants remained in the area. The library would start with 5,000 books, with 2,000 of these donated by the Rolling Prairie Library System. On January 15, 1984, the newly-constructed 6,135 sq. ft. Forsyth Public Library was dedicated.

The exponential growth of businesses and residences in Forsyth gave rise to the need for a library expansion. The wonderful location of the library allowed for an expansion of its current building, so it was decided that an addition would be added to the north side of the building and the library and community room would exchange sides of the building. The original library became the community room, and the library would move into the new expanded north end, doubling its size to 13,947 sq. ft. The “new” library was dedicated on March 4, 1997.

The Village of Forsyth, once a stop on the route of the Rolling Prairies Library System bookmobile, now has one of the most progressive, up-to-date libraries in the System. The library occupies a beautiful facility and enjoys the enthusiastic, on-going support of the Forsyth Village Board, Forsyth residents, and the larger library community.