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Presidential Libraries: The Federal System and Related Legislation (CRS Report for Congress)

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Release Date Revised Aug. 6, 2009
Report Number RS20825
Report Type Report
Authors Wendy R. Ginsberg, Analyst in Government Organization and Management
Source Agency Congressional Research Service
Older Revisions
  • Premium   Nov. 26, 2008 (6 pages, $24.95) add
Summary:

Through the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), the federal governmentcurrently manages and maintains 12 presidential libraries. Inaugurated with the PresidentialLibraries Act of 1955, these entities are privately constructed on behalf of former Presidents and,upon completion, are deeded to the federal government. Deposited within these edifices are theofficial records and papers of the former President, as well as documentary materials of his familyand, often, his political associates. These holdings are made available for public examination inaccordance with prevailing law concerning custody, official secrecy, personal privacy, and othersimilar restrictions. This report provides a brief overview of the federal presidential librariessystem, and discusses three pieces of related legislation introduced the 111th Congress (H.R. 35,H.R. 36, and H.R. 1387). The report will be updated as events warrant.