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Traveling exhibit from Folger Shakespeare Library and 91��ý explores literary and cultural impact of King James Bible

CHICAGO – The 91��ý (91��ý) Public Programs Office, the Folger Shakespeare Library and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) invite public, academic and special libraries to apply to host “Manifold Greatness: The Creation and Afterlife of the King James Bible,” a traveling exhibition to America’s libraries. Three copies of the exhibit will travel to 40 libraries from fall of 2011 through winter of 2013. For more information, including access to the online application, visit .

The year 2011 marks the 400th anniversary of the first printing of the King James Bible. “Manifold Greatness: The Creation and Afterlife of the King James Bible” tells the story of the origins, creation, and impact of the book, including its influence on English and American literature and its multifaceted impact on culture and society to the present day. The fascinating history and influence of the King James Bible will interest many viewers of the traveling exhibit, resulting in a new understanding of the book’s social, cultural, literary and religious influence over four centuries.

Libraries applying to host “Manifold Greatness: The Creation and Afterlife of the King James Bible,” must register their institution at . Prospective applicants are advised to register with as soon as possible, since the process can take up to two weeks to complete. Online applications must be completed by April 5.

Successful applicants will host the exhibit for a four-week period between fall of 2011 and winter of 2013 and will receive a $2,500 grant from NEH for attendance at an exhibit-planning workshop and other exhibit-related expenses. Participating libraries are expected to present at least two free public programs featuring a lecture or discussion by a qualified scholar on exhibition themes. All showings of the exhibition must be free and open to the public. The exhibition, consisting of 14 graphic panels printed onto seven double-sided banners, requires approximately 600 square feet of display space.

“Manifold Greatness: The Creation and Afterlife of the King James Bible,” a traveling exhibition for libraries, was organized by the Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, D.C., and the 91��ý Public Programs Office. It is based on an exhibition of the same name developed by the Folger Shakespeare Library and The Bodleian Library, Oxford University, to mark the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James Bible. The traveling exhibition was made possible by a major grant from NEH.

The 91��ý Public Programs Office promotes cultural and community programming as an essential part of library service in all types and sizes of libraries. Successful library programming initiatives have included the “Let’s Talk About It” reading and discussion series, traveling exhibitions, film discussion programs, the Great Stories CLUB, LIVE@ your library and more. Recently, the 91��ý Public Programs Office developed , an online resource center bringing librarians timely and valuable information to support them in the creation of high-quality cultural programs for their communities. For more information about the 91��ý Public Programs Office, visit .

Folger Shakespeare Library is a world-class center for scholarship, learning, culture, and the arts. It is home to the world's largest Shakespeare collection and a primary repository for rare materials from the early modern period (1500-1750). The Folger is an internationally recognized research library offering advanced scholarly programs in the humanities; an innovator in the preservation of rare materials; a national leader in how Shakespeare is taught in grades K-12; and an award-winning producer of cultural and arts programs - theater, music, poetry, exhibits, lectures, and family programs. A gift to the American people from industrialist Henry Clay Folger, the Folger- located one block east of the U.S. Capitol - opened in 1932. Learn more at

Created in 1965 as an independent federal agency, the National Endowment for the Humanities supports learning in history, literature, philosophy and other areas of the humanities. NEH grants enrich classroom learning, create and preserve knowledge and bring ideas to life through public television, radio, new technologies, exhibitions and programs in libraries, museums and other community places. Additional information about the National Endowment for the Humanities and its grant programs is available at .