A recent Pew Survey covered Americans’ developing opinions of libraries. As the first fully digital, bookless library opened, the value of books has been put into question, if only to prove that libraries, and the books they contain, still carry great value.
The survey covered the importance of libraries to the community (90% said a library closing would affect their community), their connection to literacy (95% said public libraries are important because they promote literacy and a love of reading), and the experience of visiting a public library (94% agreed that “public libraries a welcoming, friendly place”).
However, the survey also found that only 54% percent of those surveyed had visited a public library in the past 12 months, and that nearly one third (30%) surveyed did not know much about services their local library had to offer.
In case you’re that one person in three, here is a breakdown of the services currently offered at the POP Project’s closest public library, the West Asheville Library:
West Asheville Library
942 Haywood Road, Asheville, NC 28806
P: (828) 250-4750
The West Asheville Library is located on Haywood Road next to the police station. Bus routes number 1 and 41 stop in front of the library.
Hours of Operation
M/W/Th/F (10:00am-6:00pm); T (10:00am-8:00pm); Sat (10:00am-5:00pm)
General Borrowing Information for Buncombe County Libraries
-
Library cards are issued for FREE and are valid for 3 years.
-
Cards are available at any library to Buncombe County residents and property owners.
-
Cards are valid at any branch.
-
The replacement charge for lost cards is $3.00.
Description of West Asheville Library, including Services and Programs
-
75-person meeting room available for community groups
-
Hispanic outreach center
-
West Asheville History project, including archives and model oral history program
-
Border garden with perennial flowers
-
Strong video collection; magazine lounge
-
Computer study area
-
Toddler and story times with strong music component
-
Bi-lingual staff members
-
Branch newsletter
-
Adult programming with strong literary and regional culture components
Book Clubs
Many of the Buncombe County library branches hold regular book clubs for adults. According to their website, “the titles they are reading for the current month will be listed on the library calendar, in the newsletter, or you can get the month’s selection by contacting your local branch library.” For the West Asheville Library, book club meetings are held the 2nd Saturday of the month at 10am.
Storytimes and Toddler Times
Storytime at the library focuses on early literacy as it helps children develop a joy for learning language and enjoying books. Storytimes are available for every age group:
-
Mother Goose Time: a lively language enrichment story time serving our youngest “readers” (4-18 months). Offered in West Asheville Mondays at 11am.
-
Toddler Times: interactive storytimes for children (18 months-3 years). Offered in West Asheville Wednesdays at 11am.
-
Preschool Storytime: include singing, stretchers, and creative activities (3-5 years). Offered in West Asheville Thursdays at 11am.
-
Reading Corner Storytime: for school-age children (5-7 years). Not currently offered in West Asheville.
-
Spanish/English Storytimes: available in West Asheville on request
-
Cuentos para niños en español e inglés: Cuentos bilingues se presentan a solicitud al llamar 250-4750.
Additional Services for Children
-
Book Collections: Materials are available for babies up to middle school children. For school age children, nonfiction and fiction are available, including both classic children’s literature, popular paperbacks, and book series.
-
Periodicals: All branches subscribe to at least two or three magazines for children, which may include National Geographic World, Sesame Street For Kids, and American Girl Magazine. These are not available for checkout, and must be read inside the library.
-
Audio-Visual Materials: “Books on tape” and “music cassettes” can build reading skills and comprehension in children by hearing the words read to them. Children’s videos are also available for checkout by an adult.
-
Homework Help: Every branch has a core set of children’s reference materials created for homework help addressing primarily the environment and science, history, geography, and world cultures.
-
Preschool Outreach Program (POP): “POP” is an outreach service that brings the collections of books to licensed preschool classrooms once every four weeks. A storytime program is scheduled at each POP visit. (Not affiliated with the POP Project. Purely coincidental.)
-
Storyline: Accessible 24 hours a day, everyday. Each story is about five minutes long and may include a picture book, folk tale, or even a few songs. Children wishing to hear a story read to them may call 250-KIDS (250-5437).
Teen Events and Publications
Buncombe County libraries offer several great ways for teens to get involved in reading, writing, and community service, including volunteering to help with special programs or submitting a book review to Rant & Rave.
Rant & Rave is a quarterly publication by the Buncombe County Public Library system featuring book rants and recommendations for teens, by teens ages 11 to 18. Do you have a book to rant or rave about? Young readers can submit their review to any library branch, or email it to library@buncombecounty.org, then look for their name in the next issue of Rant & Rave!
No teen events are currently scheduled at the West Asheville Library, but check back here for upcoming dates at other branches.
Internet Access
All libraries in the system have public computers with access to the Internet. According to the rules listed online, “Students under 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times. All patrons 13 and up must show ID or a library card to use the internet.”
More Info
Click here for more information about services and programs offered at Buncombe County libraries, including the Summer Reading Program, North Carolina Collection, online exhibits, and Friends of the Library. For more information on the Pew Survey about public libraries, click here.