Why do the short hair lady, and older short haired lady yelling when their right next to each…read moreother. Just sooo loud for no reason

This is the library I use all the time! It is amazing! Everyone is super friendly and very helpful!…read moreGreat selection! Easy to get in and out of. I am unsure why they have two lower ratings... But this is a great library!

How wonderful to discover this local tea house in the community!…read more I first visited here because of an event that was being hosted. Sampled one of their teas, Apricot Brandy, and it was amazing! My second visit was for a Japanese culture class. Another wonderful experience shared with many along with delicious tea. First floor is cozy with plenty of nooks to sit and be comfortable. I see patrons working, reading or crafting enjoying a drink or a pastry the establishment offers. You can also purchase loose leaf tea they serve as well as their branded merchandise along with local designers. The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful and I am looking forward to many more visits to the Philosopher's House.

I have become a regular here. Whether it's just dropping by for a cup of tea or coffee or attending…read morean event, I have been impressed by the venue. It goes beyond a typical coffee or tea shop. It is a place to gather with like-minded people, expand your horizons and just relax. I recently attended a Japanese sushi class making, it was a blast!

Sorry, but this is a review for the library's parking lot when all of the other parking garages…read morewere full on a busy Saturday in downtown AVL. According to the sign, there were six spaces left and we luckily snagged one. When we came back, we entered through the library, used the bathrooms, and our car was on the same floor. It took a bit longer to leave as a truck was blocking one of the exits.

The main branch of the Buncombe County library system, this is in downtown Asheville. Lots of…read moreseating, a fast free wifi and loads of books. Some of the tables have power outlets nearby. This was a great spot to get a brief peaceful rest and browse before continuing on to explore Asheville. Absolutely check out the used bookstore. Cheap, cheap, cheap! [Review 12704 overall, 16 of 2020.]

98 steps. Not 100. I don't know why they missed this opportunity for a round number but I counted…read morethem going up and coming back down, getting the same. 98 steps. However, you can drive to the top where there is parking. If you do that, you'll miss the Jackson County Confederate Memorial that is midway on the stairs. The Historical Jackson County Courthouse is a 1913 Classical Revival structure that towers on a hill above and at the end of Sylva's main street. It has served here until 1994 when the new Justice Center opened a couple of miles away. It sat unused for several years until it was refreshed and restored, reopening in 2011 as the Jackson County Public Library complex that includes the Jackson County Historical Association, the Genealogical Society, and the Arts Council. Two stories and constructed of painted brick, it has a monumental portico at the front with large classical columns and is topped with a three-stage cupola above the central block. If you've been to Marshall NC, it does look a lot like the Madison County Courthouse. [Review 531 of 2026 - 4626 in North Carolina - 25713 overall]

All those stairs!!!! They just call to be climbed!! It's a 55 ft elevation gain…read more It's very pretty from the bottom and from the top of the stairs. Take a moment to notice the Mountain View's. It's just lovely. Don't want to climb those stairs? Don't worry you can get to the Library and Courthouse by car.

I'm sorry, I'm from New York State, and North Carolina, your library system SUCKS. Southern culture…read moreis more than "To Kill a Mockingbird." Anybody ever heard of a man called William Faulkner? Carson McCullers? Ring a bell? Walker Percy, one of the best American novelists EVER imho? This is an urban library- an urban library in a hip relevant very cool unique city, but when it comes to their library we're talking Harlequin romances in giant print. If you're really community-oriented and intellectual- as this city posits itself, the library should be so much more. It should be a cultural hub. Anyway, I find this library has a relative paucity of material. It needs to expand its section of classics. And for a city that calls itself progressive, how about some progressive literature? Thomas Pinketty, make the New York Times available. How about books on climate change, homesteading, crafting, DIY, farming, animal care, bicycling, Christianity, environmental concerns, Appalachian music, Appalachian culture, animals and plants of the region, history of the region, tourism, the Vanderbilts, the Biltmore Estate, the French Broad River, the Scots-Irish, the American South, the fight for civil rights equality, auto repair, mountain ecology, the Baptist religion, Hee Haw, the Scottish ballad tradition, snake handling, forestry, the Cherokee, Dolly Parton, Mount Mitchell, folk legends, Andrew Jackson, Bascom Lamar Lunsford, the Appalachian Trail, fiddling, clogging, kilts, rodeos, classic cars, logging, But, no. Harlequin romances in giant print, some third-rate hand-me-down same ol' same ol' pablum/fodder. It's like stale standards of the cathedral of general political correctness. Anyway, this is one of the few aspects of Western Carolina that makes me miss my NY roots.

Love our local library system. Stop cutting their budget!!! Pay some taxes folks!!! Jeez this is…read moreAmerica!!! Thomas Jefferson espoused virtues of books and education for the masses. When libraries are laying off because of budget cuts, we miss opportunities for real early child development and a chance at community. Stop being skinflits!!!! Love the library!!!!!

What an adorable local library. If you have a buncombe address, you can go to any so we opted for…read morethis one last week as it was the closest. Pleased to find an open lot, easy entrance and an adorable exterior. Lots of benches, ads for local events and wildflowers. What a library should show, in my opinion. Looks like this is a true community space we need to show love for. The staff were so welcoming and kind. We got cards here and it was simple (just have a license from the area or a license and some mail). The books were plentiful and well organized. Kids section was inviting and adorable. Overall an excellent experience.

It's everything I want in an older, outdated library. Have normal expectations and you won't be…read moredisappointed. Very friendly staff, decently stock books and rotating selections. I enjoy this library very much.

The book collection is old. Needs better collection development. One staff member is rude and bossy.read more

I am removing one star for rudeness. I had to call the other day in order to renew my books. The…read moreemployee who answered the phone was annoyed that she had to do her job. Chill- you work in a library, possibly the most stress free workplace on earth. Speaking of those books, when we originally attempted to check them out, the lady in the kids' room was rude, too. She acted like I wasn't there, and kept on talking with her friends. I could not tell if her friends were employees or patrons. She finally said that she could not check me out, and told me that I could go the self-check-out kiosk or go upstairs to get checked out. I asked her how to do the self thing, and she showed me the kiosk. I stared at it for several long seconds before telling her that I would go upstairs. Tell me: why do they need a self-check-out if they have time to endlessly yak it up and there are never more than six people in the kids' room at a time, not counting employees? Libraries should feel inviting, not alienating.

Love love love the concept of this place, very mellow yet classy! My partner and I enjoyed looking…read morearound at new books of interest while waiting for our food, we had ordered a charcuterie board and it was filling and I enjoyed going here!! I do wish they had more of a variety of meats for the board, but everything was exceptional! I will say the grapes weren't the freshest, but everything else makes up for it! I do like their hummus that we got for the side and the martini is delicious as always, can't go wrong with that! They had seasoned roasted macadamias and those were very yummy!! The walnuts tasted freshly cracked and not bitter whatsoever and service is great! While exploring around I found out the book I just read has a sequel because of their displays, so that was neat! There was live music and the space was bigger than I had expected, upstairs with children's, games, and history!

Absolutely adorable spot! Came here to for a bachelorette trip and we stumbled upon another…read morebachelorette party at the table next to us. The vibes for book lovers are immaculate. You are also able to order wine and food, which to be honest was just okay, but you're really coming here for the vibes not necessarily the food. The charcuterie was pretty good though! Accessible bathroom available on the first floor!

An absolute gem of a library. Gorgeous, contemporary yet with beautiful traditional touches, clean,…read moreinspiring, inviting. I loved working on my novel here. The grand reading room with the vaulted ceiling and fireplace is incredible. Good hours, lots of time to visit. I wish I lived near this place!

I love love love this place!!!!! This is one of the most…read morebeautiful libraries I've ever been to, the ambience is super nice and the architecture is just beautiful. It is a quiet place to study and do homework, until the kids show up after school, then it becomes a mess and tons of noise, it is an excellent program for the kids, but if you are looking for a quiet place then you have to be early in there. I'm a regular at this place because I really enjoy being here, I love the activities for the kids, and I enjoy the days they close late, just sometimes they do close earlier than they should.