Toward Better Policies and Practices for Presidential Libraries

Pesidential libraries need stronger coordination and leadership from the National Archives, better oversight by the Congress, and more informed and vigorous monitoring by the public and by the public history community. This is true not only for access to documents and services to researchers, but also, and perhaps especially now, for the “museum side” of the libraries, including exhibits and public and educational programs. The increasing reliance on funds from various library partner foundations to support programs aimed at the public is a worrisome trend. Although they have supported many worthy programs in the libraries, these “hidden hand” partners greatly reduce the transparency of the operation of the libraries which are, after all, public institutions still chiefly supported by American taxpayers. This article examines selected issues where better policy and practice would improve the programs and operations of the presidential libraries.