Sneak Peek: “Library of Congress Experience”

IMG_7860, originally uploaded by Prince of Petworth.

I had the opportunity today to check out the new Library of Congress Experience. And I must say, it was pretty damn cool and interactive. The press release says: “Beginning on April 12, 2008, the Library of Congress will welcome visitors to an exciting and innovative Experience in its breathtaking Thomas Jefferson Building (Ed. note: The Thomas Jefferson building is located at 10 First Street, SE and at times it did take my breath away.) Four main features and exhibitions define the Library’s new Experience: The Art and Architecture of the Thomas Jefferson Building, Exploring the Early Americas, Creating the United States and Thomas Jefferson’s Library.”

Personally, I though Thomas Jefferson’s Library was by far the coolest. The picture above is part of his Library. There are 6,487 volumes divided between History, Philosophy and Fine Arts. I spoke with the Chief of Rare Book and Special Collections, Mark Dimunation, who explained that in 1851 there was a fire that burned 2/3 of Jefferson’s Library. The surviving third are located in this exhibit. Additionally, the 2/3 that burned have been replaced with originals when possible. Dimunation explained that the original Jefferson books are distinguished by a green ribbon. It is also interesting to note that this collection is active and can be accessed by researchers. But what is really cool about this exhibit is the interactive feature. You can see a computer screen in the above photo (lots more photos after the jump) and at the computer you can pick any book in the collection and “turn” the pages and have foreign volumes translated. It is super cool.

Sneak Peek continues after the jump with lots more photos.

Above you can see a close up of a book on an interactive computer screen with the real book above it.

Mr. Dimunation, Chief of Rare Books and Special Collections

A bigger view of the Thomas Jefferson Library with two folks checking out one of the interactive displays. I should say that the Jefferson Library is like a big circle that you walk into with three interactive stations.

Ceiling above the Jefferson Library. Breathtaking?

Declaration of Independence Interactive Computer Screen from the Creating the United States exhibit.

Creating the United States exhibit also has more traditional displays.

The bible of Mainz from The Art and Architecture of the Thomas Jefferson Building in the Great Hall.

Interactive Computer Screen of the bible of Mainz. Additionally in this section you can find The Gutenberg Bible, one of only three perfect copies in the world. I couldn’t take a picture because off the flash.

The bottom line is that these exhibits are top notch and next time you are on the Hill it is well worth a trip inside, especially for Thomas Jefferson’s Library!