Check Out From the Sun: Cool Off at the Library

The summer heat is officially here, and while it brings plenty of exciting and fun opportunities, overheating is also a very dangerous part of summertime. In fact, heat-related deaths in the United States have been increasing over the past few years with more than 2,300 last year, according to federal statistics.

Buncombe County Public Libraries invites everyone to take advantage of its 12 branches as a space to cool off and power down for a bit. In particular, we want to help get the word out to our unhoused population that our facilities are a safe place to escape the heat and also offer a variety of resources and activities to help keep you productive or entertained.

There are 12 library branches located throughout the County (you can also download the attached PDF to give to friends, family, organizations working with the unhoused, or anyone else that might benefit from this information):

• Black Mountain, 105 N. Dougherty St. Black Mountain, 250-4756, Bus route: 170
• East Asheville, 3 Avon Rd., Asheville, 250-4738, Bus routes: WE2, 170
• Enka-Candler, 1404 Sand Hill Rd., Candler, 250-4758
• Fairview, 1 Taylor Rd., Fairview, 250-6484
• Leicester, 1561 Alexander Rd., Leicester, 250-6480
• North Asheville, 1030 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 250-4752, Bus routes: N1, N2
• Pack Memorial, 67 Haywood St., Asheville, 250-4700, Bus routes: N3, N4 - 0.3 miles from ART Station. All lines
  accessible from ART Station.
• Oakley-South Asheville, 749 Fairview Rd., Asheville, 250-4754, Bus routes: S5
• Skyland-South Buncombe, 260 Overlook Rd., Asheville, 250-6488, Bus routes: S6
• Swannanoa, 101 W. Charleston Ave., Swannanoa, 250-6486
• Weaverville, 41 N. Main St., Weaverville, 250-6482
• West Asheville, 942 Haywood Rd. Asheville, 250-4750, Bus routes: W1, WE2

Please help us spread the word that library branches are a safe and resourceful way to escape dangerous heat this summer.