Q: How can I enlarge the page?
A: Any time you feel the text on a page is too small to comfortably read, try the zooming functionality built into Internet Explorer by pressing the keyboard shortcuts listed under the Enlarge Page link in the lower navigation bar.

Q: How can I search the library catalog from home?
A: Go to the library’s home page and follow these directions :
1. Click on the Catalog link on the right-hand menu pane.
2. Type your search term(s) in the box and select "anywhere," " subject," "title," "author," or "series" or press enter. (Capitalization and punctuation do not matter.)
3. Click on any item in the results list for more information.
4. More detailed searches are available by clicking the "Search" tab.

Q: How do I place a hold?
A: Follow the directions for searching the library catalog, then follow the directions below . (Note: You will need your library card number and PIN. If you need assistance, please call the library during business hours at 770-781-9840.) Up to 25 items may be on hold for a patron at one time. Your request will not be successful if your patron account is blocked or if the requested material does not circulate.
1. When you have located an item you would like held for you, click on Place Request.
2. Type your library card number, press the Tab key, then type your PIN.
3. Click on Login.
4. Choose a pickup location from the drop-down menu.
5. Click on Submit Request.

To request a specific copy of a title, a specific issue of a serial, or a specific part of a multi-part set, follow the directions below.
1. Navigate the search results list to the desired title.
2. Click Availability if the list of locations is not already displayed.
3. Select the request icon next to the item you want to request.
4. Type your library card number, press the Tab key, then type your PIN.
5. Click on Login.
6. Choose a pickup location from the drop-down menu.
7. Click on Submit Request.
8. A message asks you to confirm that you want this specific copy. If you do, click This item only. If you decide that any copy is acceptable, click First available copy.

Q: What is my PIN?
A: The PIN is a four to sixteen-digit Personal Identification Number that you selected when you registered for a library card. If you cannot recall your PIN, you can click on the Forgot your password? link on the log-in page. If your patron account includes an e-mail address, you will receive your current password in an e-mail message. You may change your PIN as frequently as you like. A PIN allows access to your confidential information. Do not share your number with others, and do not store it with other personal information. If you need assistance, please call the library during business hours at 770-781-9840.

Q: How long can I check out library materials?
A: All physical items check out for 14 days and may be renewed twice if no one else is waiting. Downloadable audio books and music have varying checkout periods and cannot be renewed.

Q: How much will I be charged if my library materials are returned late?
A: To encourage the prompt return of materials so that others may use them, the library charges 20¢ per day per item for late returns. Accounts $10 or more are sent to Unique Management for collection, and a processing fee is added to the account.

Q: How can I view a list of items I have checked out?
A: To view a list of items checked out via the Internet, go to the library’s home page at http://www.forsythpl.org and follow these directions.  (NOTE: You will need your library card number and PIN. If you need assistance, please call the library during business hours at 770-781-9840.)
1. Click on the My Account link on the right-hand menu pane.
2. Type your library card number, press the Tab key, then type your PIN.
3. Click on Login.
4. Click on Items Out. You will see a list of the items you have checked out with the dates they are due.
OR
To hear a list of items checked out via the telephone, call 770-781-9865 from a touchtone phone and follow the spoken prompts. (NOTE: You will need your library card number and PIN. If you need assistance, please call the library during business hours at 770-781-9840.)

Q: How can I find out when my books are due?
A: To verify due dates via the Internet, follow the directions for viewing the items checked out to you. The due date for each item is displayed in the column labeled Due Date.   (NOTE: You will need your library card number and PIN. If you need assistance, please call the library during business hours at 770-781-9840.)
OR
To verify due dates via the telephone, call 770-781-9865 from a touchtone phone and follow the spoken prompts. (NOTE: You will need your library card number and PIN. If you need assistance, please call the library during business hours at 770-781-9840.)

Q: How can I renew my books?
A: To renew books via the Internet, follow the directions for viewing the items checked out to you, then follow the directions below.   (NOTE: You will need your library card number and PIN. If you need assistance, please call the library during business hours at 770-781-9840.)
1. From your list of items checked out, click to place a check in the box(es) to the left of the item(s) you wish to renew.
2. Click on Renew Selected Items or Renew All Items.
3. New due date(s) will appear, or you will be given the reason for the failure to renew.
4. Click on Logout when you have finished.
OR
To renew books via the telephone, call 770-781-9865 from a touchtone phone and follow the spoken prompts. (NOTE: You will need your library card number and PIN. If you need assistance, please call the library during business hours at 770-781-9840.)

Q: How do I use My List?
A: A: My List is a feature that lets you create lists of library items in the library catalog. You can create temporary lists of items or save the list for future reference. Lists may be printed or emailed. You can add or remove library items from a list, sort the items in a list, move items from one list to another, and rename or delete a saved list. To create a list, follow the directions for searching the library catalog, then follow the directions below. (NOTE: You will need your library card number and PIN.)
1. When you have located an item you would like to place on your list, click on Add to My List. The Add to My List link changes to Remove. (You can click on Remove to take a title off the list.) Important: The working title list remains in the dashboard on the left side of the computer screen until you exit the catalog. If you want to use your working title list at a later date, save, print, or email it using the following procedures.
2. To save your working title list, click on Show list details… at the bottom of the working list in the dashboard on the left. Your working list is displayed in the center of the screen. Click on Log in to save titles to your account at the top of the working list. Type in your barcode and PIN, and click on Log In to submit the information. Your name and the Log Out link are displayed at the top left of the page when you are logged in. (If you are in the library, please log out before leaving the computer to preserve your privacy.) Click on Create new saved title list at the top of the working list, and click on OK on the next page. Type a name for your list, and click on Create List. To move titles from your working list to your saved list, display the working list by clicking on Show list details… at the bottom of the working list in the dashboard on the left. Your working list is displayed in the center of the screen. For each title you’d like to move to the named list you just created, click on Move to, making sure the name of the saved list is displayed in the drop-down box to the right. The title is removed from the working list and added to the named, saved list. Now, when you click on Add to My List in a list of search results, you will have the option of saving titles to your saved list, to a new list, or to a working list as long as you are logged in.
3. To print a list, log in and display the list you want to print by clicking on it in the dashboard to the left. Above and to the right of the displayed list, click on Printer Friendly. This removes extra page information from the screen. Click on Print, and follow normal printing procedures. After printing, click on Back to Title List to return to the My Lists view.
4. To email a list, log in and display the list you want to email by clicking on it in the dashboard to the left. Above and to the right of the displayed list, click on Email List. Type the email address in the box and click on Email list to. You will see the message E-mail was sent successfully. (NOTE: the email will come from Ask a Librarian and the subject line will be Your Title List.)
5. For more complete information on using lists, click on Help in the upper right-hand corner of the library catalog screen.

Q: How can I access the library’s databases from home?
A: In addition to traditional print resources, the library offers access to many online resources. These are available at most of the public computer terminals in the library, and many of these databases may be accessed from home via our website. Click on the Online Resources link on the right-hand menu pane and select a database by category or from the A-Z list.  (NOTE: You will need your library card number and PIN and, in the case of GALILEO databases, the GALILEO password. If you need assistance, please call the library during business hours at 770-781-9840.) Click here (PDF format) for more information on the library’s Premium Databases and GALILEO databases.

Q: How can I get the GALILEO password?
A: The best source for full text articles, GALILEO consists of hundreds of databases indexing thousands of magazines, scholarly journals, and other resources on a variety of subjects. Click here (PDF format) for more information on the library’s Premium Databases and GALILEO databases. A password is necessary to access GALILEO databases from home.  (NOTE: You will need your library card number and PIN. If you need assistance, please call the library during business hours at 770-781-9840. However, the GALILEO password may not be given out over the phone.)
1. Click on the Online Resources link on the right-hand menu pane, and then, on GALILEO Password & A-Z List
2. Click on GALILEO Password.
3. Enter your library card number and PIN when prompted.
3. Note the current GALILEO password and click on OK.
4. Select GALILEO Databases A-Z and select from the A to Z list or press the back button on your browser to select a database by category.
5. Enter the GALILEO password at the Log in with GALILEO password prompt.

Q: Why won’t the NewsBank videos work?
A: The Library regrets to announce that video content in NewsBank will work erratically inside the Library. Due to bandwidth issues the videos may start and stop as needed for buffering. This video content may or may not work outside of the library, depending upon firewall settings in use by the end user and their Internet Service Provider. The library is not responsible for advertisements on this site.

Q: How can I get a quick answer to a question?
A: Email us your brief questions via our Ask a Librarian Form, and a librarian will respond via email within 48 hours.

Q: What are the library’s hours?
A: Current hours for every location can be found here.  To see the list of holidays observed by the library click here.

Q: What do I need in order to use the computers in the library?
A: A library card number and PIN are required to use the computers in the library. Library cards are free to Forsyth County residents of any age and are also available to non-residents for a $60 annual fee. Click here and click on the here to register now link if you would like to apply for a library card online. The charge for the use of the black and white printers, copiers, and microfilm printer is 15¢ per page. The cost of color printing is 50¢ per page. Bring a floppy disk, CD, or USB device in order to save your work, or you can buy a disk for $1.00 or a USB drive for $9.00.

Q: Does the library have wireless Internet access?
A: Yes, see the supporting website at http://laptops.forsythpl.org for more information regarding FCPL Unplugged!

Q: How can I find out when the next children’s program is taking place?
A: Click here to see the current children’s programming schedule.

Q: Will library staff help me with my homework?
A: The library has many electronic and traditional resources designed to help with homework in various subject areas. We have access to specialized databases, GALILEO, and many encyclopedias, almanacs, and other reference books. Information Specialists are skilled at helping you locate resources to fit your information needs. When you have the right resources, homework assignments can be interesting, and even fun! The best way to get homework advice is to come to the library in person. While we can point you in the right direction, we can’t do your homework for you!

Q: Where is the Accelerated Reader List for my child’s school?
A: Forsyth County Public Library is no longer able to connect to the Forsyth County Public Schools’ Accelerated Reader lists. This is a regrettable loss of service. Although the library does carry print copies of the AR lists for local elementary and middle school, we cannot guarantee they are the most up-to-date lists available. Please refer to your school Media Center for your particular Accelerated Reader list. To access the Forsyth County Public Schools website, please go to http://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/forsyth/site/default.asp.  You may be able to speed your search for Accelerated Reader titles held by FCPL through the use of our Cool Search Tools that you can install to your browser.

Q: Will library staff teach me how to use the computer?
A: The Forsyth County Public Library invites you to make an appointment with a librarian for 20-30 minutes of individualized instruction on basic computer topics such as searching the library catalog, using the databases, or using the Internet.  For more information on this service contact the Information Desk at 770-781-9840.

Q: When is the next library book sale?
A: Book sales are generally scheduled twice a year; once in the fall and once in the spring. They are sponsored by the Friends of the Library. To find the date, time, and location of the next sale click here.

Q: How can I request the use of a Library meeting room?
A: Please refer to the Public Meeting Rooms information page at http://www.forsythpl.org/selfService/meetingRooms.aspx

Q: What is the barcode format I would need to scan my library barcode on my iPhone or other PDA device?
A: Please use 10-digit barcodes encoded in Code 39 format.