World libraries: Library of Congress takes to the road, bringing rolling exhibition to the heartland

The Library of Congress will launch a new traveling exhibition late in September that will bring facsimiles of many of its top treasures and information about the millions of resources in its unparalleled collections to the heartland of America. "Gateway to Knowledge," is the name of the exhibition that will travel in a specially fitted truck and will initially set off to sites in Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia.

The "Gateway to Knowledge" exhibition was the idea of philanthropists Abby and Emily Rapoport. The goal of the project is to bring the Library’s riches to areas of the nation, particularly to rural areas - that may not be aware of their access to the wealth of information in this publicly funded institution. The truck will be parked at various schools, libraries, community centers and other public venues. The exhibition will outline the history of the Library. What is more, it will feature facsimiles of such treasures as the 1507 Waldseemüller Map (the first document to use the word "America"); the 1455 Gutenberg Bible; the rough draft of the Declaration of Independence, in Thomas Jefferson’s hand with edits by Benjamin Franklin and John Adams. Visitors will also find several areas of museum-style exhibits including a welcoming multimedia display, computer terminals displaying Library of Congress websites including the main site, www.loc.gov and other library websites including the Center for the Book/Literacy Programs site www.read.gov and sites pertaining to U.S. collections, exhibitions and a special site for use by teachers.

Ultimately, "Gateway to Knowledge" is expected to visit up to 60 sites in states across the Midwest and South over the next year.