a Gateway to Knowledge
Some cool facts about the Library of Congress:
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:
- 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
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) |
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| 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” |
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