(Forsyth County, GA) On Thursday, July 27, state representatives and senators, county commissioners, architects, and librarians gathered at the future site of the Denmark Library for the official groundbreaking ceremony.
The new library, which will become the fifth branch of the Forsyth County Public Library (FCPL) system, is scheduled to open in late 2024 or early 2025. Located on land purchased from the Forsyth County School System, Denmark Library will be near Fowler Road between Denmark High School and the new Midway Elementary, which is still under construction.
“In my world there’s no better day than the groundbreaking on a shiny new public library,” said Julie Walker, State Librarian for the Georgia Public Library Service.
Walker said that improving literacy is a high priority for Gov. Brian Kemp.
“Libraries like this are making a major contribution to that work,” she added.
Elected officials from Forsyth County including Commissioner Todd Levent from District 3, Representative Carter Barrett from District 24, and Senator Greg Dolezal from District 27 all shared how important the FCPL had been for their families. Barrett even joked that when his daughter was a student at West Forsyth High School that she was so often at the Post Road Library that her smartphone thought it was her home location.
“I’m honored to be a part of today’s groundbreaking and the original purchase of 9.5 acres from the Forsyth County School System,” said Levent.
County Commissioner and Chairman Alfred John from District 2 discussed why the new library project was important, explaining that the nearby Post Road Library has reached capacity.
“The County is growing, and the demand for our world-class libraries is growing as well,” said John.
The FPCL is one of the state's busiest library systems with more than 630,000 yearly resident visits. FCPL also has the highest per capita checkout rate in Georgia with an average of 10.5 items checked out for every resident each year.
Anna Lyle, FCPL Director, shared that the Denmark Library was a project more than a decade in the making. Land prices, inflation, and rapidly rising construction costs created challenges during the project’s planning.
The library, which will cost $12 to 13 million to complete, received its primary funding from SPLOST funds. Impact fees and State Capital outlay grants helped make up the rest.
Lyle expressed her appreciation for the elected officials who had helped FCPL obtain the resources they needed for Denmark Library. One of these officials was Sen. Dolezal, who called Lyle “ferocious” in her pursuit of support for the library.
“Having libraries in walking proximity to schools is really, really important,” Dolezal noted. “Today’s a day of celebration.”
In addition to 75,000 books and materials, Denmark Library will feature nature-inspired design elements, a drive-up window for receiving holds, more study rooms than any other FCPL branch, including several smaller study rooms designed for 1-2 people. More information about Denmark Library and updates on the construction process is available at the FCPL website.
What is your family’s favorite FCPL branch? Comment below or email kbondwriter@gmail.com to let us know.
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