The Library of Congress will make use of technology to exhibit more than 6,000 volumes from Thomas Jefferson’s book collection.
“Artifacts like the Waldseemüller map (the first to include the name “America”), the rough draft of the Declaration of Independence, the Gutenberg Bible and original volumes from Thomas Jefferson’s Library will be virtually at your fingertips. You’ll be able to flip through their pages, magnify sections of interest and access commentary from the Library’s top experts-all on the same touch screen,” the Library of Congress’ website informs the public.
Digital technology is not something new for libraries, but Librarian of Congress James Billington assured the public that the exhibit is “unlike anything the Library of Congress has undertaken in the past,” allowing visitors to see “stunning detail up close that we’ve only had a general idea of before.”
Eventually, this stuff will be available via the web, so you won’t have to travel to Washington DC to access LOC materials.
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Digitization, Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson
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