LISNews: Librarian News

Now that we know Bill's OK, Associated Press is reporting More than 30,000 get-well messages received by former President Clinton's foundation Web site will be displayed in his presidential library when it opens Nov. 18.

The Clinton Foundation, which is building the $165 million library and center in Little Rock, set up a message board on its Web site in advance of Clinton's heart bypass surgery Monday morning. By Sunday night, the number of messages had exceeded 30,000, said Clinton spokesman Jim Kennedy.

Little Rock will get a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T when Aretha Franklin performs Nov. 16, as part of the festivities leading up to the Clinton Presidential Library's grand opening.

According to the Houston Chronicle the Franklin concert is expected to be one of several major artistic highlights of the week leading up to the Nov. 18 library opening. Other events include a documentary film festival, an exhibit of White House art and an outdoor concert.

This AP article gives us a bit of perspective on the operations of the eleven (and soon to be twelve) Presidential Libraries, and how things are faring for them.

Reporter Andrea Almond tells us, "Although Reagan's death has led to a surge in visitors to the library, attendance at the nation's presidential libraries during the last five years has declined about 13 percent. To reverse the trend, libraries are adding attractions, turning to more aggressive marketing tactics, and leaning on nearby tourist attractions to promote themselves."

The article goes on to tell us about the soon to be open Clinton Library, which includes exhibits on White House pets - cat Socks and dog Buddy, and includes a display of Mickey Mantle's rookie baseball card, which was a gift for the president.
At least one of the exhibits deals with the President's impeachment.

Sharon Fawcett, deputy assistant archivist for the National Archives and Records Administration says on the subject of Presidential Libraries:
"People want to know about their presidents, and these libraries offer that opportunity. It's a challenge for all libraries and museums, not just presidential ones, to draw young visitors when competing with the Disneylands and other amusements."

A portfolio that historians believe Abraham Lincoln used to carry around official papers was donated Tuesday to the state of Illinois.

Tom Heyser of Maryland, whose parents were housekeepers for Robert Todd Lincoln, the president's son, gave the briefcase and a dress worn by Mary Todd Lincoln to First Lady Patti Blagojevich at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. Read More.