Welcome to the Wise Owl House Project.
The mission of Wise Owl House is to promote literacy and a love of reading by increasing access to books for children and adults in underserved areas of Charleston‘s Tricounty area. We accomplish this through Free Book Gives at community events, establishing Free Book structures both indoors and outdoors, providing Little Owl Learning Kits to children under 5, restoring and maintaining Free Book locations throughout the community, collecting gently used book donations, and collaborating with a volunteer network to deliver books to neighborhoods with limited transportation options. By bringing the joy of reading to those who need it most, Wise Owl House fosters education and imagination for all.
1,150
Books Given Away in September 2024
14,061
Books Given Away in 2024
Wise Owl Houses & Perches
A Wise Owl House is any location that is serviced and maintained by our volunteer team, where people can come and take books and learning material. We restore, maintain and build Wise Owl Houses (outdoor locations) and Wise Owl Perches (indoor locations) where they’re needed and take care of other free book resources that may have fallen into neglect. We keep books circulating and keep knowledge flowing!
Little Owl Learning Kits
In addition to books, Angel Oak Elementary and the Charleston County School District Early Learning Department will be supplying "Little Owl Learning Kits" as a part of the Wise Owl House project. These kits will supply families with learning materials in an effort to further support a child's learning at home during ages birth through 5. Research shows us that this is a foundational period when children can begin to learn through play and can build on their skills in many areas to be better prepared for school readiness upon entering kindergarten. Kits are designed by experienced early learning teachers and include educational activities for families, developmental milestone guides, manipulatives, and other materials to begin learning at home.
Collecting Gently Used Books
We maintain our book supply through the kind donations of Charleston’s Friends of the Library, as well as individual and family donors. Do you have gently used books just waiting to be read again? Learn how to donate them here!
Locations Throughout the Tri-County Area
With our origins are on Johns and Wadmalaw Islands, our goal is to provide and service free literature and learning locations throughout the Tricounty area of South Carolina.