Keene Public Library is among 82 public, academic, and medical libraries across the United States chosen as an exhibit site for "Frankenstein: Penetrating the Secrets of Nature." Sponsors are the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Library of Medicine and the American Library Association (ALA). According to ALA, selection for the exhibit tour was "extremely competitive." Gail Zachariah is credited for securing the exhibit grant.

The exhibit examines Mary Shelley's classic novel, Frankenstein and its evolution in literature, popular culture and scientific research since its publication in 1818. A major theme of the exhibit is how the Frankenstein story has been used as a framework to express society's fears about the consequences of scientific advances such as cloning, which challenge our traditional understanding of what it means to be human.

Libraries selected for the tour will house the exhibit for a six-week period between October 2002 and December 2005. Keene Public Library is slated for receiving the exhibit during 2004.