Presidential Libraries

No doubt you've heard that President Jimmy Carter lay in repose at The Carter Presidential Center, which consists of a museum and library dedicated to the former president's time in office. It was not the first time that a president or a first lady lay in repose at a presidential library before burial. This got me thinking about American presidential libraries--their number and how they began, among other things.

Apparently, presidential libraries are a 20th century phenomenon and there are currently fifteen of them, two of which are completely digital at the moment (Obama and Trump). Franklin D. Roosevelt. was the first president to have a presidential library; he developed and built it, opening it to the public in 1941. Roosevelt was also the first president to donate his professional and personal papers to the federal government, and his presidential library was the only one to be used by a sitting president.

The Presidential Libraries Act in 1955 encouraged but didn't require presidents to donate materials from their administrations, but the Presidential Records Act of 1978 declared that all presidential records are owned by the public. The libraries are operated by the Office of Presidential Libraries, which falls under the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). There is a presidential library for every president since Herbert Hoover, and each library is located in a president's home state (Texas has three). A number of presidents and first ladies are even buried on the grounds of their presidential libraries.

Although it's possible to visit a presidential library, some have virtual tours. Additionally, many presidential documents and photos can be accessed through the internet. For instance, you can see photos of Jackie Kennedy's dresses and find information on when and where she wore them, or you can read the public papers of Ronald Reagan.

I'm probably a bit biased as a librarian, but presidential libraries make it easier for future generations to learn about past presidents and understand their administrations.

As always, sending you best wishes from the perch.