Presidential library

In the United States, the presidential library system is a nationwide network of 13 libraries administered by the Office of Presidential Libraries, which is part of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). These are repositories for preserving and making available the papers, records, collections and other historical materials of every President of the United States since Herbert Hoover (31st President, 1929-1933). In addition to the library services, museum exhibitions concerning the presidency are displayed.

Although recognized as having historical significance, before the middle 20th century, presidential papers and effects were generally understood to be the private property of the president. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32nd president, proposed to leave his papers to the public in a building donated by him on his Hyde Park estate. Since then a series of laws have established the presidential library system. While not officially sanctioned and maintained by the NARA, libraries have been organized for several presidents who preceded the official start of the Presidential Library Office (i.e., those before President Hoover).

Since the 32nd presidency of Herbert Hoover (in office, 1929-1933), presidential libraries have been established in each president's home state in which documents, artifacts, gifts of state and museum exhibits are maintained that relate to the former president's life and career both political and professional. Each library also provides an active series of public programs. When a president leaves office, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) establishes a presidential materials project to house and index the documents until a new presidential library is built and transferred to the federal government. The William J. Clinton Presidential Library became the eleventh presidential library on November 18, 2004, the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum became the twelfth on July 11, 2007, and the George W. Bush Presidential Center became the thirteenth on May 1, 2013. Official fundraising for the Barack Obama Presidential Library and Museum began in January 2014; the 14th facility in the presidential library system is then expected to be open around 2020.

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