Libraries across the nation can gain access to the Library of Congress's exhibitions through Internet, a nonprofit international collection of computer networks linking users in more than 100 countries, or through America Online, a leading provider of interactive services for personal computer users. In addition to selected graphic reproductions and exhibition text for "Scrolls from the Dead Sea: The Ancient Library of Qumran and Modern Scholarship," "Rome Reborn: The Vatican Library & Renaissance Culture," "1492: An Ongoing Voyage" and "Revelations from the Russian Archives," various information files about the Library of Congress may be accessed.
To reach the files on Internet, you must have an Internet connection with FTP (file transfer protocol) capability. An FTP session to the Library can be initiated by typing FTP seq1.loc.gov or FTP 140.147.3.12. Log in as "anonymous" and give your e-mail address as a password, then change directory (cd) to the /pub directory. From there, cd to the:
- deadsea.scrolls.exhibit subdirectory for the "Scrolls from the Dead Sea: The Ancient Library of Qumran and Modern Scholarship" files;
- vatican.exhibit subdirectory for the "Rome Reborn: The Vatican Library & Renaissance Culture" files;
- 1492.exhibit subdirectory for the "1492: An Ongoing Voyage" files;
- soviet.archive subdirectory for the "Revelations from the Russian Archives" files;
- Library.of.Congress subdirectory for the information files.
Each section has a README file that will guide you to other files in that section. Use the ascii command to set the file type for transfer of text files. Use the binary or image command to set the file type for transfer of image or program files.
The get [remote_filename local_filename] command copies a file from the remote machine [the remote filename] to your machine [local filename]. It is also important on the remote filename to use upper and lowercase letters exactly as listed (e.g., README is different than readme and Readme).
Those who do not have full access to Internet, can reach the Library of Congress files through America Online (AOL).
With a 2400 baud (or faster) modem, you can connect to this service, which offers the Library exhibition and information files as well as other services. For a monthly fee (a little less than $10), a customer receives the AOL software and two hours of connect time per month. All information is available at no extra charge, but additional connect time is charged at the rate of $6 per hour. For more information on America Online, call (800) 827-6364.