Summer is here, and libraries across Western North Carolina are bursting with color, creativity, and community connection! This year’s summer reading programs in Buncombe and the surrounding counties all share one vibrant theme: “Color Our World”—inviting kids, teens, and adults to dive into books, express themselves through art, and join in on a variety of fun, free events all season long.
🌈 Buncombe County
Let your creativity soar at your local Buncombe County library this summer as we Color Our World together! After the challenges brought by Hurricane Helene, this year’s theme is a celebration of healing, hope, and the power of stories and art to unite and uplift our community.
The 2025 Summer Learning Program runs from Tuesday, June 3 through Saturday, August 30, and is open to everyone ages birth to 18. To participate, just stop by any library branch after June 1 to pick up an activity sheet. Complete any ten activities and return it to earn a free book and a bookmark redeemable for a kiddie scoop of ice cream at any location of The Hop. The Summer Reading Finale will take place on Saturday, August 16 from 10 AM–2 PM at the Oakley/South Asheville Library. This family-friendly celebration will include music, face painting, games, bubbles, community-led activities—and of course, ice cream from The Hop.
All summer long, libraries will host free programs for children and teens of all abilities—from building colorful terrariums at the Swannanoa Branch to water play for toddlers at the Leicester Branch to stuffed animal sleepovers, where children and teens will drop their beloved friends off for a couple memorable nights of stories and games, complete with a participating certificate and photographic evidence! Activities occur daily across the County, with opportunities to engage all interests, whether it be music, science, history, or just having some hands-on fun! Be sure to grab a summer calendar from your local branch or check the online calendar for all the details.
Our libraries aren’t just for kids and teens. Apply the “adult” filter to the events calendar, and you will find daily opportunities for adults to learn and connect with the community. Need tech support? Library staff is available to help you one-on-one with technology-related tasks. Or get in touch with your creative side with free Intro to Watercolor lessons. You can even take a pilates class, get lessons on hand drumming, or learn how to macrame! Local non-profits Our Voice and Helpmate also offer assistance for survivors from on-site social workers.
🎨 Henderson County
Henderson County is also embracing the Color Our World theme, with a summer reading program designed for all ages. Kids and teens can earn fun incentives—like free books and entries into grand prize drawings—by logging their reading and participating in creative events. Adults can also turn a summer reading card in by August 1st for a chance to win a gift bag and a $50 gift card to Barnes & Noble! Cards are also available for printing at home by following the link above.
Like Buncombe County, the Henderson County Libraries offer a plethora of free activities for all ages throughout the summer. In June, hunker down for a family movie night at the Etowah Branch, learn about peregrine falcons at the Green River Library, or participate in hands-on dino fun in Fletcher at one of Zaniac‘s programs for kids. In July, the main branch hosts Dungeons & Dragons, Teen Anime Club, and various crafts for teens, with a variety of clubs and activities throughout the month at the other branch locations.
Adults are also encouraged to join in on the fun with book discussions and community gatherings throughout the summer. Whether you’re interested in joining the Knit & Crochet group that meets on Mondays in Mills River or are a writer or poet itching for an opportunity to share your work at an Open Mic Night, you are sure to find something that peeks your interest on the full event calendar.
📖 Transylvania County
Keeping with the colorful theme, in Transylvania County, summer reading comes with some exciting rewards! Running through August 9th with Grand Prize drawings occurring on Monday, August 11th, there four free programs to choose from: Early Literacy (birth-2 years), Kids (3 years – 5th grade), Teens (grades 6-12) and Adults. Age-appropriate prizes include a Melissa & Doug wooden shape sorting grocery cart, Magnatiles, craft/science kits, local gift cards, and more!
Weekly kids’ programs include science programs led by AMOS, sea creature crafts, pictures-and-sight-word BINGO, the family Soap Bubble Circus show, a Super Soaked Saturday with water activities and music, and so much more. Adults can unwind with yoga, challenge themselves with a game of chess, and even explore the history and culture of the southern Appalachian region with a monthly program series that includes talks such as Mountain Talk — The Southern Appalachian Highland Dialect. With so many options for all ages, the Transylvania County libraries are sure to provide entertainment for everyone this summer!
🏞️ Haywood County
Haywood County Public Library is taking part in the Color Our World celebration with a summer reading journey running from June 2nd to July 25th. Participants can register at any library branch and receive a challenge sheet and starter bag. Young readers, children, teens, and adults who finish will have a chance to win one of the many grand prizes.
The calendar of events is filled with special programs for people of all ages and interests. Adults can make a healthy, colorful smoothie or participate in an adult game night in Waynesville and kids can learn about Pablo Picasso and recreate one of his works or join the WNC Nature Center to learn about raptors and even dissect an owl pellet! For teens, summer programs offer opportunities to learn about Appalachian folk art and design and paint their own quilt squares or taste test different flavors of Japanese Kit Kats and sodas. With all that Haywood County has to offer, your calendar won’t be difficult to pencil in this summer!
🌟 Madison County
Madison County Public Libraries are also on theme with their Color Our World program, which kicked off on June 2nd. Their three locations (Marshall, Mars Hill, Hot Springs) will also host various events and activities throughout the summer, from storytime and foamy paint for littles in June, to Origami 101 for teens in July, to a “Murder at the Library” after hours book club for adults in August. Check out their events calendar for the full line-up!
📖✨ Don’t see your County in our post? There’s too much fun to pack into one little blog! Follow the links below to check out the Events Calendars for more of our beloved Counties of Western NC:
➡️ Avery-Mitchell-Yancey Counties
➡️ Burke County
➡️ Fontana Regional Library (Jackson, Macon & Swain Counties)
➡️ Nantahala Regional Library (Cherokee, Clay & Graham Counties)
➡️ Polk County
