October 17 , 2001

Media only: Public Information Officer (202)786-2875
Public only: (202)357-2700

Smithsonian Libraries Launches 'Galaxy of Knowledge'

Smithsonian Institution Libraries has launched a new public-oriented version of its Web site, titled Galaxy of Knowledge. Galaxy replaces the Libraries' former home page, but resides at the familiar address, www.sil.si.edu.

Nancy E. Gwinn, Director of the Smithsonian Libraries, noted, "The title Galaxy of Knowledge is a metaphor communicating the special character of the new site. It is a place for discovery and exploration and contains a constellation of information, resources and educational material. It is also a destination, a place to showcase the scholarship of Smithsonian staff, as it is made available in the form of online exhibitions, bibliographies, indices and digital editions."

Reminiscent of a cabinet of curiosities, which formed the nucleus of many contemporary museum collections, the Smithsonian Libraries' Galaxy reflects the specialized fields studied within the walls of the Smithsonian's 16 museums, its research centers, and zoological park. Designed with both the public and the classroom in mind, the Libraries' collections have tremendous potential for popular education and entertainment and contain subjects that appeal to museum visitors as well as to hobbyists, collectors, students and teachers.

Also for the first time on the Libraries' site, researchers can find a page geared specifically to their interests. The new Libraries' research page is organized to provide direct access to the Libraries' Web services and content. It can be accessed at www.sil.si.edu/research. Libraries' Assistant Director for Systems Thomas Garnett explains the reason for creating these two distinct pages, "We offer the initial 'Galaxy' page as well as the Libraries' research page because our outreach goal is two-fold. We want to serve the needs of scholars and the scientific community while simultaneously opening our virtual doors to the general public so that they are able to experience the Libraries' rich and multifaceted collections."

Galaxy of Knowledge offers something for every interest and is divided into four easy-to-navigate quadrants of knowledge. Under each quadrant, a collection of informational material and visual delights is available for viewing and study and includes, among many other offerings:

American Discovery

• Illustrated articles on Native American costumes from the 19th century onward

Mosaic of Science

• A lecture on extraterrestrial life by the U.S. Naval Observatory's Steven J. Dick, feautring photos taken from the Hubble spacecraft
• Anthropology on the Internet For K-12 by Libraries' staff member Maggie Dittemore, offering a lesson on anthropology for children and young adults

Art and Design

• Publications authored by Libraries staff, such as Modern African Art: A Basic Reading List by Janet S. Stanley
• Library and Archival Exhibitions on the Web, maintained by Libraries' staff member Diane Shaw, which contains more than 1,000 entries and won USA Today's 'Hot Site' award in 1999

Industry and Technology

• Commercial sewing machine materials, featuring more than 1,000 viewable images (with a projected 10,000 to come)

Another component of Galaxy is the Libraries' virtual exhibitions, which allow people in remote locations to experience a show. These 6 online exhibitions can be accessed at www.sil.si.edu/exhibitions and offer a view to the many areas of research at the Smithsonian.

• Science and the Artist's Book showcases the work of contemporary book artists who used SIL's Heralds of Science (a 200-volume collection of classic scientific texts housed in the Dibner Library of the History of Science and Technology) as inspiration in their creative process
• From Smithson to Smithsonian: The Birth of an Institution, celebrates the Institution's 150th anniversary
• Frontier Photographer: Edward S. Curtis, which documents Curtis' turbulent life and his efforts to document Native American culture
• 'Make the Dirt Fly': Building the Panama Canal, offers a glimpse of the historical motivations behind the construction of the Panama Canal
• The Underwater Web: Cabling the Seas provides a history of 150 years of global communications and the birth of the Internet
• Voyages: A Smithsonian Libraries Exhibition brings together the visual and intellectual gems of the Libraries' collections

Normally available only by appointment, and with books and manuscripts kept in secure, controlled environments, Smithsonian Libraries' collections and the information that springs from research done within its community of branch libraries can now be enjoyed by an international audience, 24 hours a day. "Galaxy" will continue to grow and expand, reflecting the interests and specialties of both Libraries' staff and the scholarly community that the SIL branches serve.

The Smithsonian Libraries is a 22 branch system with online exhibitions, rare books, and information services online at www.sil.si.edu. The library catalog is at www.siris.si.edu. The Libraries serves the Smithsonian and the public with information and reference support. Its collections number 1.5 million volumes including 40,000 rare books, 2,000 manuscripts, 180,000 microfilm and -fiche, and over 300,000 commercial trade catalogs, dating from the 1850s and representing more than 30,000 companies.

Smithsonian museums on the National Mall are open 10:00 am to 5:30 pm daily (except December 25). Admission is free.

# # # #