The international collections of the Library of Congress started with the arrival of the Thomas Jefferson library in 1815. Today the Library's international collections are unparalleled; they are comprehensive in scope and include research materials in more than 460 languages and in many media.
Like its sister exhibition, American Treasures, this installation will be an ongoing exhibition and will feature the most treasured materials. The Library of Congress international gallery starts with "Beginnings," an exploration of how world cultures have dealt with the creation of the universe and explained the heavens and the earth. "Beginnings" will run through March 15, 2003. World Treasures will reopen with a new theme Fall, 2005.