The LOC.GOV Wise Guide : Are You Experienced?

The Library presents an immersive new “Library of Congress Experience,” offering visitors unique historical and cultural treasures brought to life through cutting-edge interactive technology and a companion Web site. The experience comprises a series of new ongoing exhibitions, dozens of interactive kiosks, an inspiring multimedia "overture" on the collections and programs of the Library, and a continuing online educational experience at the Web site myLOC.gov/.

Library of Congress Experience poster featuring Thomas Jefferson. 2008

Librarian of Congress James Billington shows one of the new interactive displays in the "Creating the United States" exhibition to local middle school students during a special preview of the Library of Congress Experience. 2008

The new Experience is comprised of four presentations that showcase the beauty of the Library and the wealth of its collections. In the Art and Architecture of the Thomas Jefferson Building, the Great Hall is brought to life using interactive technology allowing visitors to zoom in on the artistic and architectural details of the space. In addition, the Library’s Bible collection, which includes the Giant Bible of Mainz and the Gutenberg Bible, includes interactive presentations that document the history of Western ideas, religion, art, printing and illustration.

The “Creating the United States” exhibition tells the story of how our Founding Fathers used creativity, collaboration and compromise to form our nation, with a focus on the words and phrases that created the republic. Visitors can examine and interact with historic drafts of the Declaration of Independence, George Washington’s copy of the Constitution and John Beckley’s Bill of Rights.

Thomas Jefferson’s Library features thousands of original volumes that provided the foundation for the Library of Congress and its universal collections. They also can navigate books through page-turning technology and learn how one of America’s greatest thinkers was inspired.

The Library of Congress Experience incorporates the "Exploring the Early Americas" exhibit, which opened in December 2007. The exhibition tells the story of the Americas before the time of Columbus, as well as the period of contact, conquest and their aftermath. It features unique objects from the Library’s Jay I. Kislak Collection, as well as Martin Waldseemüller’s 1507 Map of the World, the first document to use the word "America."

A companion Web site to the Library of Congress Experience, myLOC.gov/, has also been launched. The site features interactive versions of the same exhibition content from the physical experience, educational resources, information for visitors, and a page where users can create their own virtual collection of Library objects. Later in 2008, the Passport to Knowledge will connect onsite visitors to their bookmarked content at myLOC.gov/.

A. Library of Congress Experience poster featuring Thomas Jefferson. 2008. Reproduction Information: Not available for reproduction.

B. Librarian of Congress James Billington shows one of the new interactive displays in the "Creating the United States" exhibition to local middle school students during a special preview of the Library of Congress Experience. 2008. Photo by John Harrington. Reproduction Information: Not available for reproduction.