The Library of Congress will bring facsimiles of many of its top treasures and information about the millions of resources in its historic collections to the Bob Kirby Branch of the Warren County Public Library Friday, May 13, and Saturday, May 14. “Gateway to Knowledge,” an exhibition that travels in a specially fitted 18-wheel truck, launched from Washington D.C. last fall and will make a stop in south central Kentucky during its national tour. It will be free and open to the public from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. both days. Teachers of students in grades 4 and up are invited to arrange free tours in advance.

The trailer expands to three times its road width, and visitors enter from a central staircase leading to several areas of museum-style displays. The exhibit outlines the history of the Library of Congress and features facsimiles of such treasures as the 1507 Waldseemüller Map (the first document to use the word “America”), the 1455 Gutenberg Bible, the rough draft of the Declaration of Independence (in Thomas Jefferson’s hand with edits by Benjamin Franklin and John Adams), the 1962 drawings for the comic book that introduced Spider-Man to the world, the handwritten manuscript of jazz pioneer Jelly Roll Morton’s “Frog-i-More Rag,” and Walt Whitman’s poem “Leaves of Grass.” It also includes programming especially for teachers and students and provides engaging experiences for lifelong learners. The truck is staffed and driven by two docents well-versed in the Library of Congress and its collections.

 “We are honored that the Library of Congress selected our community for one of its stops, and showcasing this exhibit at one of our library locations is ideal,” said library director Lisa Rice. “Providing access to information and knowledge is what libraries are all about, so it’s a perfect fit.”

Founded in 1800, the Library of Congress is the nation’s oldest federal cultural institution. The LOC seeks to spark imagination and creativity and to further human understanding and wisdom by providing access to knowledge through its magnificent collections, programs and exhibitions. The Library’s “Gateway to Knowledge” national tour is made possible by the generous support of the Rapoport family. Bernie and Audre Rapoport are founding members of the James Madison Council, the Library’s private-sector advisory group.

“As both a storehouse of world knowledge and primary resource for the U.S. Congress, the Library is energized by the prospects of the Rapoport traveling exhibition playing an important role in sharing the national collection with the people to whom it belongs,” said Librarian of Congress James H. Billington.

For more information about the “Gateway to Knowledge” exhibit, visit http://www.loc.gov/gateway. Teachers interested in scheduling school group tours on Friday, May 13, should contact Abigail Van Gelder at (734)320-3202 or AbigailVG@gomra.com. Additional questions may be directed to Ashley Fowlkes at (270)781-4882, x203 or ashleyf@warrenpl.org.