Rep. Black donates books



Rep. Black donates books | Diane Black

William Freddy Curtis, student Rebekah Faulkner, Congresswoman Diane Black, CCHS Principal Mike Jones, Asssistant Principal Kay Barker and Director of Schools Barbara Parker.

By TONY STINNETT/ Courier Education Editor

School have a greater selection of books to choose from following a visit to the school from Congressman Diane Black Tuesday (Aug. 20).

Black visited CCHS for the purpose of donating books from the Library of Congress, which is the largest and one of the greatest of what may be considered national libr-aries. It contains some 18 million books, 2.5 million recordings, 12 million photographs, 4.5 million maps and more than 54 million manuscripts.

Black visited with Cannon County Director of Schools Barbara Parker, CCHS Principal Mike Jones, assistant principal Kay Barker, Freddie Curtis, U.S. government teacher,  and senior Rebekah Faulkner during her 30-plus minute stop.
Congressman Black said she enjoys donating books to schools from the Library of Congress as much as the librarians do receiving them. She takes full advantage of a program that enables members of Congress to select various books for such donations.

“It is fun and I didn’t know until I got to Congress that there was this opportunity,” Black said. “I never know which books my staff has selected so it’s a real surprise to see what’s picked out. I am as surprised as the people receiving them. It’s always a good variety and a lot of interesting books. Librarians really appreciate it because they don’t have a lot of money in the budget for books right now. This offers a little help here and there.”

Cannon County High School received books ranging from how to study for the ACT, history, sports, and music, among others.

“It is a great honor to receive books from the Library of Congress,” Director Parker said. “It is an awesome place. We appreciate Congressman Black thinking of us and arranging this. It is great to receive these books and there is such a great range. “

Black said her love of libraries and reading is a reason she takes advantage of a program that enables schools to receive some of the books from the Library of Congress.

“It goes back to when I was a child,” Black said. “I loved libraries and still do today. Books of all kinds are of interest to me. I am still like a kid when the box is opened because there is a present in there I can share with people who have the same love for reading.”