A photo of 15-year-old Rosa -- a foster child who wants to be adopted -- grabs your attention at the Selma library. There is a sadness in her eyes. It suggests a longing for something -- or someone. The photo is a part of a traveling exhibit called the Heart Gallery. Its goal is to find adoptive families for some of Fresno County's more than 2,000 foster children, organizers say. The exhibit -- which includes seven photos of foster children, some of them brothers and sisters -- is on display at the library through April 30. The large portrait-style photos are designed to create an emotional connection with viewers, said Veronica Salmeron of the Fresno County Department of Children and Family Services.

"They put faces to the reality of foster care," said Salmeron.

Kingsburg resident Pat Zagoya -- who attended an open house at the library hosted by organizers of the exhibit -- said the photos are a good way to help children find adoptive homes.

"A lot of children don't get a lot of exposure and get caught in the foster care system," said Zagoya.

The exhibit first was displayed for several months in late 2008 at Sierra Vista Mall in Clovis. Since then, it has rotated each month to a different county library branch.

The exhibit is a project of the county Department of Children and Family Services, private adoption agencies and interested individuals.

The exhibit has not produced any final adoptions, but some families who have seen the photos have expressed interest in specific children and have started the placement process.

There is a brief description of the likes and interests of each child in the exhibit. Nine-year-old Tiarnique, for example, "loves to shop and knows a great pair of shoes when she sees them," according to her biography. She also likes math and the Girl Scouts.

Rosa likes to play soccer, wants to visit Canada and enjoys playing with her cat.

The exhibit wants to showcase older children such as Rosa. "There is a misconception that they don't want to be adopted," Salmeron said.

The exhibit might lead to a home for Rosa. One family saw her photo in Fresno and was taken by something in her eyes, social workers say. Rosa and the family have started meeting to get acquainted.

Details: 453-5165, 262-4326, www.co.fresno.ca.us.