30,000+ Free Books Coming to Asheville for the Reading Opens the World Family Literacy Fair

Mark your calendar for a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of books, learning, and community!

The Reading Opens the World Family Literacy Fair will take place on Sunday, September 27, from noon–4 p.m. at Martin L. Nesbitt Jr. Discovery Academy in Asheville.

This free community event will put more than 30,000 free books into the hands of children, families, educators, schools, and community programs across Western North Carolina. Guests of all ages can also enjoy free food, music, games, family activities, a Halloween costume swap, hundreds of free LEGO brick boxes, and more!

How the Free Book Giveaway Works

• The event is free and open to Western North Carolina Title I and Title I-eligible schools and educators, as well as students and families who attend Title 1 and Title 1-eligible schools, and community partners (after-school programs, summer camps, early childhood providers, etc) who serve those students and families.
• Books will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, so guests are encouraged to arrive early.
• Parents and guardians may choose up to 10 free books per student for their home libraries, with a maximum of 30 books per family.
• Educators and school staff may choose up to 50 free books for their classrooms.
• School and community program staff must be registered with First Book to receive books. Registration is free, and on-site registration will be available. You can also register with First Book in advance.
• Hundreds of free LEGO brick boxes will also be available while supplies last.
  
  

Additional information in the event FAQ here.

Please bring sturdy bags, boxes, or a wagon to help transport your books home.

Supporting Our Region’s Education Recovery
The fair falls on the second anniversary of Hurricane Helene—a moment to recognize how far our community has come while acknowledging that recovery is still underway.

Over the past two years, students, families, educators, schools, and community partners have worked incredibly hard to restore routines, rebuild learning opportunities, and help young people recover from the disruption and loss caused by the storm.

The Reading Opens the World Family Literacy Fair is an opportunity to honor that work, recommit ourselves to supporting every learner throughout Western North Carolina’s recovery journey, and come together for a joyful day centered on books, connection, and possibility.

We Need Volunteers to Make It Happen!
An event this big takes a community to bring it to life. Read 2 Succeed needs 60–80 volunteers from Thursday, September 24, through Sunday, September 27 to help prepare for the giveaway and support families during the fair.

Come for one three-hour shift, one day, or several! Individuals, families, clubs, community groups, professional organizations, and workplace teams are all welcome. Children and teens may volunteer alongside an adult.

We need volunteers confirmed as soon as possible. Click the button below to sign up for a volunteer shift today—and invite a friend, family member, or coworker to join you!

Groups that would like to volunteer together can email [email protected] to coordinate.

We look forward to seeing you there! Please share this article to help spread the word.

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