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SARATOGA SPRINGS — Congressman Paul Tonko visited Spring Street Gallery July 1 to deliver nearly four dozen Library of Congress surplus books to the Saratoga Springs offices of Capital Region RAEN (Regional Adult Education Network).
Capital Region/North Country RAEN serves 18 counties in upstate N.Y. The organization – whose offices are located at 112 Spring St. in Saratoga Springs, supports adult education programs and offers programs for adult literacy, occupational and continuing education.
“The way it works is the Library of Congress - the oldest federal institution in the country, founded in 1800, and the largest library in the U.S.- has 171 million volumes. A surplus is created, and these books are made available to members of Congress,” said Tonko. The books ranged from short story fiction to texts about health education and algebra workbooks.
“The importance of reading - for teaching, re-teaching, literacy - It all centers around the skill of learning,” Tonko said. “We start with pages, then get to paragraphs, to sentences, to words. Your author wants to give you a message and your new friend - the book - is going to talk to you in ways that you know, or just reinforce what you know, or challenge you, excite you. It’s a great opportunity to reach all age groups.”
Tonko has facilitated donations to local schools and non-profits through the program since September of 2017. Local nonprofit and public organizations including schools, libraries and educational institutions can request books by filling out the request form at tonko.house.gov/surplusbooks
