You are most welcome Maarja!
I look forward to reading Paula Span's article as well.
Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: Records Management Program [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Maarja Krusten
Sent: Tuesday, February 28, 2006 10:13 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [RM] Another source to read about Presidential Libraries

Thanks, Mike!

The concept of centralization has been discussed within NARA from time 
to time.  In the paper-based age, establishing a central repository 
would have meant asking all scholars to travel to one location.  Some 
people like the idea of going to a central repository, others, such as 
historians in the Western states, like being able to go to Simi Valley, 
California, rather than the East Coast, to visit the Reagan Library.  
It will be interesting to see what happens to Presidential Libraries in 
the digital age.

Of course, the current Libraries have an important Museum component.  
Members of the general public like coming to Presidential Libraries to 
view the museum exhibits and to visit the gift shops, which provide a 
nice source of revenue.  And of course, college towns vie for 
establishment of Presidential Libraries in them because they are a good 
draw for tourists.

Paula Span discussed some of this in an article in 2002 the Washington 
Post, "Monumental Ambition."  Her article carries the subtitle:  
"Presidential libraries are history and hagiography, archival mother 
lodes and gift shops pushing star-spangled dish towels."

Span notes, "It's an odd system: We the taxpayers shelled out nearly 
$55 million for presidential libraries last year, and what have we 
gotten in return? A series of well-executed paeans to our past 
presidents, valuable archives where scholars have sometimes had to file 
lawsuits (or live to very advanced ages) to gain access, locations for 
elegant soirees, retail outlets selling bald eagle wind chimes and 
star-spangled dish towels. Is it really worth the investment?"

Her article, like Dr. Cox's, is well worth reading.  See 
http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/hsts507/doel/preslib.htm

Maarja

-----Original Message-----
From: LEVEY, MICHAEL D <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent:         Tue, 28 Feb 2006 09:21:34 -0500
Subject: Re: [RM] LONG Re: [RM] On-line this afternoon - Classification 
of Presidential Records

Maarja,

Thank you for your remarks as well as including the link to "America's
Pyramids". I concur with Mr. Cox that the role of the Presidential
Libraries has focused on the educational role of the institution at the
expense of the records they house.  I believe there is particular merit
to the creation of a centralized presidential research center where all
future presidential records can be safeguarded and preserved for public
access and scholarship.

B. regards,
Michael Levey
SCANA

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