• Stillwater Public Library at 1107 S. Duck Street in Stillwater, Oklahoma
• (405) 372-3633
• askalibrarian@stillwater.org
• library.stillwater.org
• Library programs are co-sponsored by the Friends of the Stillwater Public Library and KOSU 91.7 fm.
• 

(STILLWATER, OKLA. / May 25, 2011) – What do Spider-Man, the Guttenberg Bible and the poet Walt Whitman have in common? They'll be making "personal appearances" at the Stillwater Public Library June 7-8 as part of the Library of Congress' traveling exhibit "Gateway to Knowledge."

Traveling in a customized 18-wheel trailer, replicas some of the the Library of Congress' top treasures will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both days.

“We chose Stillwater Public Library as one of our stops because of its reputation for holding exceptional community-wide events,” said Abigail Van Gelder, the exhibit's docent.  “We want as many Oklahomans as possible to be able to enjoy the riches of the Library of Congress.”

The traveling trailer expands to three times its road width and features several interactive museum-style exhibits.  Items to see include the following replicas:

• 1507 Waldseemüller Map (the first document to use the word “America”)
• 1455 Gutenberg Bible
• Rough draft of the Declaration of Independence (in Thomas Jefferson’s hand with edits by Benjamin Franklin and John Adams)
• 1962 drawings for the comic book that introduced Spider-Man to the world
• Handwritten manuscript to jazz pioneer Jelly Roll Morton’s “Frog-i-More Rag”
• Walt Whitman’s poem “Leaves of Grass”

“The traveling exhibit generates many broad smiles, dropped jaws, and I-can’t-believe-you-have-thats. It’s times like those when I wish more Americans could have the same opportunity for these magical moments,” said Van Gelder.

The exhibition also provides information about the millions of resources in the Library’s unparalleled collections and outlines the history of the Library, including Thomas Jefferson’s role in re-establishing the Library after the U.S. Capitol burned in 1814.    

A community ribbon cutting has been planned Tuesday, June 7 at 11 a.m. to celebrate the opening of the exhibit, though participants can begin touring the exhibit at 10 a.m. 

Teen and children’s organizations, such as scouting and homeschool groups, are encouraged to call and reserve special thirty minute tours which will be guided and narrated by the exhibit docents.  Adults and other individuals are invited to take a leisurely self-guided tour. 

“We’re thrilled to have been chosen to host this amazing opportunity for our community,” said Library Director Lynda Reynolds. “It’s a perfect addition to our summer reading program with its theme of bringing the world to Stillwater.”

“Gateway to Knowledge” is free and open to the public. The special children’s tours are also free.  The exhibit will be located on the east side of the parking lot between the Multi Arts Center and the library. It's equipped with features for easy accessibility.

The exhibit and its national tour are 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.

The Stillwater Public Library is located at 1107 S. Duck St. Library hours are Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. 

For more information, visit the Stillwater Public Library web site at library.stillwater.org, email askalibrarian@stillwater.org or call 405-372-3633.  Visit the library on Facebook and Twitter.  Library programs are co-sponsored by the Friends of the Library and KOSU.

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The traveling exhibit, parked here in front of the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., is giving Americans a chance to see their National Library.

Docent Josh Van Gelder guides children through the Library of Congress exhibit which is scheduled to visit Stillwater Public Library June 7 and June 8.  Special tours for children’s and teen organizations are available by reservation.

The trailer is packed with exhibits including facsimiles of the Guttenberg Bible and a rough draft of the Declaration of Independence.

Young adults will especially enjoy the exhibit featuring copies of the original drawings of Spiderman.