The Bethlehem Central Middle School Library Media Center will add 31 books to its collection thanks to a donation made by the Library of Congress. The books were hand-delivered Thursday by Congressman Paul Tonko, who represents the district in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The donated books include several young adult fiction and non-fiction titles related to science, social studies, local history and global conflict.

Library Media Specialist Silvia Lilly sought the donation from the Library of Congress’ Surplus Books Program for the middle school library. Congressman Tonko’s office helped facilitate the book donation. It is the second time the middle school has received books from the Library of Congress. The first donation took place in 2018.

In addition to delivering the books to the school, Congressman Tonko spent an hour talking and listening to more than dozen students in grades 6-8. The topics included the congressman’s role in Washington D.C and his path from engineering to the State Legislature to Congress.

In turn, the BCMS students spoke about national issues that concern them on a personal level. The issues included student mental health, funding for education, support for veterans in the U.S., racism, pollution and the environment and even the use of the filibuster in the U.S. Senate, a topic that is generating a lot of interest nationwide.

Thank you, Congressman Tonko, for your interest in our students and your support of our schools.