The POP Project manages a number of official Little Free Libraries around Asheville and Buncombe County, as well as providing one for Rutherfordton, NC. Check out our current locations below, and stop by to peruse their current selection:
Contact us if your location is interested in hosting a Little Free Library at no cost to you.
The POP Project’s Little Free Libraries
Deaverview Apartments
275 Deaverview Road, Asheville
In the summer of 2015, POP was invited to participate in the placement of public library boxes at each of the housing communities around town. We were chosen to oversee the box at Deaverview Apartments to make sure it stays full.
Leicester Elementary School
31 Gilbert Road, Leicester
Thanks to a partnership with the Green Opportunities GO Build Program, we delivered our first free library to Leicester Elementary in November 2016. The library was installed between the school’s pickup lines for parents and younger siblings to utilize while they wait for school to dismiss. The library is stocked with early readers and board books, as well as a few older readers and other resources for parents.
Hall Fletcher Elementary
60 Ridgelawn Road, Asheville
In March 2017, acclaimed children’s author Andy Griffiths helped unveil a special 13-Story Treehouse-themed Little Free Library, constructed by local wood artist Brian Monteleone of Artful Pallet. After the unveiling, the treehouse library was filled with free children’s books and donated to Hall Fletcher Elementary to live on their grounds.
Verner Center for Early Learning
89 Old Candler Town Road, Candler
In the summer of 2017, POP quietly installed an LFL at Verner Early Learning Center’s Candler location. The box is convenient for parent picking up their young children, as well as people visiting the Hominy Valley Community Market, and features early readers in both English and Spanish.
Food for Fairview
Charlotte Highway, Fairview
When installed in August 2017, this particular little green box was the only library in Fairview officially registered with the international nonprofit, Little Free Library. With its proximity to both Food for Fairview and Fairview Elementary, gently used books in this box are available for readers of all ages and interests.
Asheville Fire Station 2
415 S French Broad Avenue, Asheville
In February 2018, POP unveiled a public Little Free Library at Asheville Fire Station 2 near the Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Center, in our first collaboration with the Asheville Fire Department. After more than five years outside, the well-used LFL needed some TLC! Luckily, a few neighborhood members came to our rescue. Rita and Richie, who also donate books to the LFL, generously made the much needed repairs.
Asheville Fire Station 5
1074 Hendersonville Road, Asheville
Just a few days after debuting the library at AFS 2, POP installed a second fire station/bus stop box along Hendersonville Road, with gently used books for readers of all ages and interests. The initial supply of books for preschool and elementary-aged readers were provided through grant funds from the Duke Energy Foundation.
Buncombe County Schools Central Office
175 Bingham Road, Asheville
Installed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, this Little Free Library was initially installed to serve the surrounding community while public libraries were inaccessible. Now, you can bring the kiddos by the Buncombe County Schools Central Office to grab any of the great children’s books available here. The Glass Foundation funded the purchase and decoration of this box.
St. Francis Episcopal Church
408 N Main Street, Rutherfordton
The labyrinth at St. Francis is designed for quiet introspection, inspiration, and spiritual growth. Visit this free library, funded by the Glass Foundation, for books on meditation and spirituality.
Other Free Libraries POP Supports
The Hop Ice Cream Cafe
640 Merrimon Avenue #103, Asheville
In February 2022, POP helped The Hop Ice Cream Cafe start a free library inside their flagship Merrimon Avenue location. The Hop reached out for support, and we were more than happy to supply the shelf, several boxes of books to get them started, and an outline for their initial signage. This shelf focuses on children’s books, YA, and cookbooks.
Discover another shelf of books at The Hop West, 721 Haywood Road, Asheville.
What are Little Free Libraries?
These boxes are among thousands around the world representing the Little Free Library program, a grassroots movement designed to inspire reading, community, and creativity. Next time you pass one, check out the selection. Take a book from the library (either to keep or return later) or leave a book you’d like to share with others in your community.
Several of these LFLs were built by students in Green Opportunities’ former GO Build Program. The Asheville-based job training program allows students to participate in life and employment skills training, as well as personal and professional development activities, throughout the course of their program. New books for preschool and elementary-aged readers have been provided through grant funds from the Duke Energy Foundation.
The POP Project coordinated the construction and installation of these Little Free Libraries around Asheville and has pledged to make sure they each stay full.
Help us Build and Install More Little Free Libraries
There is more demand for Little Free Libraries around city schools, housing projects, bus stops, and low income communities. Do you have the skills to build an LFL for the POP Project? If so, we’d love to speak to you!
Please contact us today at aPOPproject@gmail.com!