WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today announced his fourth annual book donation program for libraries in Mississippi. Over the past three years, Wicker has donated nearly 2,300 books to Mississippi libraries. The books are collected from the Library of Congress Surplus Books Program and Wicker’s personal library.

“I have been pleased to watch this program grow over the past three years as more books find new homes in Mississippi libraries,” Wicker said. “These books are great additions to Mississippi communities, and I hope this program will continue to encourage literacy for years to come.”

Over 20,000 books are donated to the Library of Congress (LOC) each day, with only about half of the books saved for the library’s permanent collection. The LOC’s Surplus Books Program makes the extra books available to educational institutions, nonprofit tax-exempt organizations, or state and local public agencies. The collection includes paper and hardback books, audio and video recordings, and maps. These items cover subjects such as the humanities, history, social sciences, education, and science.