POST FALLS - Don't let the rare loud noise at the Post Falls Library alarm you too much today.

Civil War soldiers dressed in period uniforms will call a detail to order and fire their replica weapons during the grand opening of the traveling exhibit of President Abraham Lincoln at noon.

"The gunfire will make lots of noise and smoke, but no bullets will be used," said Anne Abrams, community resource administrator for the Community Library Network.

Area libraries will hold free Lincoln and Civil War programs throughout the month.

The Post Falls Library will host "Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War" through April 5.

After the opening ceremony, the public will be invited inside the library to tour the free exhibit and talk to the soldiers. Children can dress up in paper Lincoln hats and beards and families can have their pictures taken in a Lincoln cutout. Refreshments will be served. The grand opening runs until 3 p.m.

The exhibit explains the challenges Lincoln confronted when he was elected in 1860. The nation was on the brink of Civil War, and Lincoln struggled with issues of secession, slavery and civil liberties - all questions our country's founding charter left unanswered.

The exhibit develops a more complete understanding of Lincoln and the Civil War as the nation's gravest constitutional crisis.

Throughout the month, adult-oriented programs sponsored by the Idaho Humanities Council will help people understand the impact of Lincoln's presidency.

Here are the topics and the dates, times and places of the presentations:

* "Lincoln and Idaho," by David LeRoy - Thursday, Post Falls Library, 6:30 p.m.; March 9, Garden Plaza-Post Falls, 2:30 p.m.; March 10, Hayden Library, 2 p.m.

* "Underground Railroad Quilts," by Barb Tilton and Joanne Moore - March 13, Post Falls Library, 6:30 p.m.

* "Mary Todd Lincoln: The first 'First Lady'," by Janet Worthington - March 20, Post Falls Library, 6:30 p.m.; March 21, Bestland Retirement, 3 p.m.; March 22, Heritage Place, 2:30 p.m.

* "A President for the Ages," by David Adler - March 27, Post Falls Library, 6:30 p.m.; March 28, Pinehurst Library, 3 p.m.; March 29, Athol Library, 6 p.m.; March 30, Spirit Lake Library, 5 p.m.

The National Constitution Center and the American Library Association Public Programs Office organized the traveling exhibition, which was made possible by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. The exhibit is based on an exhibition of the same name developed by the National Constitution Center.

For further exhibit and program information, call 772-1506 or visit CommunityLibrary.Net/LincolnExhibit.