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, 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.
1,815
Books Given Away in April 2025
26,340
Books Given Away since January 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!
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.