Books in the Community
We provide books to organizations serving marginalized communities in Knox County. Our volunteers work with these organizations to select appropriate books and then arrange for delivery or pickup at the Friends @ Rothrock Used Book Shop in Lawson McGhee Library.
In FY24, Friends distributed 7,102 books and other materials to 45 community partners and 15+ Little Free Libraries.
Friends relies on monetary donations to purchase most of our books. Diverse books, often written by and about people of color, allow young readers to see themselves reflected in the books that they read.
For more information about Books in the Community or to see if your organization qualifies, please email us at info@knoxfriends.org.
One Book Read City
One Book Read City is a community-wide program that gives elementary students in Knox County an opportunity to engage in reading the same book. The program fosters reading at home, encourages dialogue, and brings community organizations and schools together through events and activities centered around the book.
For the annual One Book Read City in 2024, all Knox County Schools’ K-5 students received a copy of Shelby & Watts: Tidepool Troubles by Ashlyn Anstee. Friends helped purchase 31,650 books.