Washington, D.C.

After being closed to the public for nearly 20 years, the bronze central doors of the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building swung open recently to reveal a new exhibition showcasing some of the facility’s most prized treasures. Dubbed the Library of Congress Experience, the exhibit puts the world’s largest library in the hands of the people as never before.

Visitors can now use touchscreen kiosks to virtually page through parts of the Gutenberg Bible, zoom in on the 1507 map that first used the word “America,” and read Thomas Jefferson’s rough draft of the Declaration of Independence, complete with editing marks by Jefferson, Adams, and Franklin.

Until now, Jefferson’s personal collection of 6,487 books, which had served as the library’s foundation, was kept out of sight in the Rare Books section. Now 2,000 original editions — plus volumes that replace those lost in an 1851 fire — are on permanent display in a dramatic, glass-enclosed spiral bookcase. Cell-phone audio tours guide visitors through the historic building. There’s also an online exhibit. Visit loc.gov/experience for more.

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