a Gateway to Knowledge

Some cool facts about the Library of Congress:
  • Has over 145 million pieces in its collection
  • Houses the U.S. Copyright Office, the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, and the Congressional Research Service (which as you guessed it--does the research for members of Congress)
  •  The LofC also has books in 470 languages
  • The Library of Congress opened in 1800, was burned by the British in 1814 (nearly destroying everything!); was recreated when Congress paid Thomas Jefferson $23, 950 for over 6,400 books; then suffered another fire in 1851, destroying over half of the collection once more! You can imagine they have mad fire-proofing skills these days!
  • The LofC was once housed in the Capital building
I was recently able to visit the Library of Congress' traveling, "Gateway to Knowledge" Exhibit.
The exhibit--touring via an 18 wheeler truck--gave a glimpse into the variety and scale of what sorts of things the Library of Congress has in its collection. I think for most people they might be surprised by what they find. I think this exhibit would be a good way of introducing these themes to kids. But, for me personally, I was a little disappointed. I wanted more depth, more details, not a half an hour walk through teaser! I felt like so much more could have been done with the space. I think I just need to go to the damn Library of Congress! Still, it's worth checking out: Last chance to see it:
Aug. 18-20
Park Square, Bank Row
Pittsfield, Mass., 5-9 p.m. (Thursday)
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Friday-Saturday)
Aug. 23-24 Amsterdam Free Library
Amsterdam, N.Y., 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Aug. 26-27 Fletcher Free Library
Burlington, Vt., 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Aug. 30-31 New Hampshire State House
Concord, N.H., 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sept. 2-3 Monument Square
Portland, Maine, noon – 8 p.m.
Sept. 6-7 Newport Public Library
Newport, R.I., 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sept. 13-14 Montgomery Twnshp Upper Middle School
Montgomery, N.J., 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sept. 16-17 Urbana Regional Library
Urbana, Md., 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sept. 20-21 Culpeper County Library
Culpeper, Va., 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sept. 24-25 National Book Festival
Washington, D.C., 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. (Sat.),
1 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. (Sunday)


And speaking of traveling exhibits:
“Manifold Greatness: The Creation and Afterlife of the King James Bible”

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

eggnog with lighter fluid and other cherished Christmas memories

sample retirement acceptance letter

meditating through my HULK SMASH