If a custom field is located in a few lists, and those lists is in a folder with other lists that do not have that custom. I am unable to see the values of that custom field at the folder level WITHOUT adding it to the folder, and by virtue, adding it to every task in that folder.

I definitely don't want to do that.

I want to READ the custom field information at the folder level, not ADD custom fields to every task in the folder. Is it possible to have that option when selecting custom fields at the folder, Space and Everything level?