Buncombe County Public libraries
north carolina collection
One of the earliest photographs of Pack Square in Asheville
The North Carolina Collection at Pack Library is a fully cataloged collection of published materials reflecting history, literature and life in Western North Carolina. Within the collection there is a particular emphasis on material relating to Asheville and Buncombe County.
Click here For online access to the North Carolina collection database.
In addition to a wide variety of books relating to the history of WNC, the North Carolina collection also includes:
- Photographs
- Historic documents
- Genealogies
- Postcards
- Maps
- Oral Histories
- Microfiche of local newspapers
Our online database contains an inventory of historic photographs and documents from the North Carolina Collection at Pack Memorial Library. We have over 1000 images and items that document the history of Asheville and Western North Carolina available online. The collection is only partially online now, but images and other research aides are being added as they become available.
You may also access Heritage Quest, a leading online resource for genealogy data thru Buncombe County Public Libraries. You will need to enter your library card number (all 13 digits with no spaces) to access the database online. Click here to go to Heritage Quest.
Ben, Fred & Thomas Wolfe (L-R) on the steps of the family home in about 1913
One of the highlights of the North Carolina Collection are the items documenting the life of Asheville native, Thomas Wolfe.
Using The Collection
Materials in the North Carolina Collection must be used in the library, although some of the books in the Collection have duplicate copies in the circulating collection.
Fragile items, or information protected by restrictions, may not be available for use or for duplication. Materials must not be subjected to any risk of damage during their use, such as food, drink, ink, rough handling, etc.
Since many of the materials are not cataloged, it is important to contact the Library first to determine if the desired information is available. It may take some time for Library staff to locate certain items or information.
The Reference staff can provide basic assistance with long distance research. There will be a charge of $5 per search, a 25¢ per page copying fee and postage for this service.
Contact Info
For further assistance concerning the North Carolina Collection, please contact:
North Carolina Collection
Pack Memorial Library
67 Haywood Street
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 250-4740
(828) 250-4748(fax)
email: nc.reference@buncombecounty.org