To those wishing to take a virtual tour of the world’s largest library, developers for the iPhone and iPad can now reply that “there’s an app for that.”
On Aug. 2, the Library of Congress Virtual Tour was launched at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/library-of-congress-virtual/id380309745?mt=8
The new Library of Congress app for iPhone and iPad allows users to take a virtual tour of the Thomas Jefferson Building. - Abby Brack
Not only is it the next best thing to being there, but the Library’s free app is an ideal companion to an onsite tour, or can accompany the online tour of the Library of Congress Experience at myLOC.gov.
The app includes highlights of the art and architecture of the Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building and the Library’s ongoing exhibitions. It includes a video about the history of Thomas Jefferson’s personal library (currently on display), which in 1815 reconstituted the Library of Congress after the British burned the Capitol during the War of 1812. All sections include audio information by curators and other experts, photos and related links from the Library’s website. The architectural photos are courtesy of photographer Carol M. Highsmith, who has been donating her magnificent collection of images to the Library, copyright-free, for the use of the American people (www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/highsm/).
The Library’s first mobile app was developed by three members of the Library’s staff. Like all iPhone apps, it also works on the iPhone Touch and iPad (in the standard 1x/2x resolution options). With so many collections and services to offer the public, the Library of Congress is likely to develop additional apps for the growing number of mobile platforms.