If you love books, reading, libraries, and enriching the lives of others...you've found your people!
Welcome to Twin Rivers Friends
If you've ever lost yourself in a great book...
If you've watched a child discover the magic of reading...
If you've walked into a library and felt at home...
Then you're already one of us.
Since 1968, Twin Rivers Friends has helped connect people with books, supported libraries, promoted lifelong learning, and created opportunities for readers of every age.
Whether you donate books, volunteer a few hours, become a member, or shop our book sales...you're helping create thousands of new stories.
Together We Make Reading Possible
Last year Twin Rivers Friends...
📚 Sold thousands of donated books
📖 Supported reading & literacy programs throughout our community
🏡 Maintained seven Little Free Libraries
🏡 Maintained two permanent StoryWalks
👧 Provided books to elementary school children at Christmas
📚 Hosted two major community book sales yearly
❤️ Served readers of every age
Every membership...
Every donated book...
Every volunteer...
helps write the next chapter.
Why our members join:
- "I've loved libraries my entire life."
- "I wanted my grandchildren to grow up loving books."
- "I wanted to volunteer with people who shared my interests."
- "I simply wanted to give something back."
Maybe that's your story too. Join now!
What's New or News 2026
Enjoy our August newsletter--Shelf Life. Click here to read it.
GIVE YOUR BOOKS A SECOND LIFE!
Every Book Changes a Life.
Help us put more books into more hands throughout our community.
- Supporting reading.
- Supporting lifelong learning.
- Supporting our libraries.
- Building a stronger community.
Your donated books help support reading programs throughout our community. Click here to learn how.
BIG BOOK SALE COMING UP IN OCTOBER
The TRF's big book sale will be the end of October. Thousands of books. Hundreds of bargains. One amazing community book event. But it won't be much of a sale without your donations. Isn't it time you culled your collection and passed along your treasured titles and authors to other readers? Click here to learn more about how to donate books.
AUGUST STORYWALKS
- Martin Marietta Park "Leo the Late Bloomer" is a children's classic about a little tiger cub who can't read, write, draw, or speak, while all his peers already do. His mother patiently insists that he is just a "late bloomer."
- Creekside Park "Rainbow Fish" is about a beautiful, vain fish who learns that true friendship and happiness come from kindness and sharing rather than just being selfish.
HELP THE TEACHERS!
- Buy a book for an elementary school teacher's classroom library at Books-A-Million. Sponsored by Partners in Education (PIE). Drop by the store between July 19 and August 16.
- Stuff the Bus at Staples on August 15th.
Highlighting
JOANNE STRAIGHT, Director
At our volunteer appreciation event, we honored long-time member Joanne Straight. Joanne's love of books and reading stems from her career as a librarian. Before retiring and joining the Friends, Joanne had been the library manager of the New Bern-Craven County Public Library. In that capacity, she had interacted with the Friends of the Library group aligned with her library.
When Joanne joined the Friends she quickly rose in the ranks to become President, a position which she held for several years. She guided the organization with a steady hand and a heart of gold. You could depend on Joanne to show up whenever help was needed, so long as she and her husband Randy were not traveling.
Speaking of Randy, we were lucky to have his help with keeping the Little Free Libraries in good repair and even building new ones. Randy, too, helps when needed.
The Twin Rivers Friends are blessed with members like Joanne and Randy. We continue to look for the Joannes and the Randys out there. We'd love to put your skills and interest to work! Do join us!
