Obama Presidential Center to Open; Trump Presidential Library Plans

America's Pyramids?

What is the Background of Presidential Libraries?

Philip Brooks (then director of the Truman library), wrote in 1962 that the “basic objective of these Presidential Libraries is to preserve and to make available in one place all the historical materials from one Presidential Administration.” ¹

The records of the presidency are discussed by Bradley in the article, “Politics, Privilege, and the Records of the Presidency.”²

Here is an article about presidential libraries-- “America’s Pyramids: Presidents and Their Libraries.”³

Libraries are the future of all presidents’ past.

Obama Presidential Center opens June 18, 2026

The Obama Presidential Center opens June 18, 2026: Obama presidential center opens soon--June 18, 2026.⁴

Plans for Trump Library are released

Plans for Trump Library are released: Trump’s skyscraper presidential library looms over Miami in newly released images - POLITICO ⁵

Book on Presidential Libraries

Nappo, C. A. (2018). Presidential libraries and museums. Rowman & Littlefield. Guide to all U.S. presidential libraries and museums (25 covered at the time of publication, with notes on future ones including Barack Obama’s). It begins with an introductory overview of their history and function as national monuments dedicated to America’s commanders-in-chief. It then provides concise, alphabetically arranged entries (from George Washington through George W. Bush).

1. Philip C. Brooks, “A Special Library for the Presidency,” Missouri Library Association Quarterly 23 (June 1962): 42.

2. Wiles, Bradley J. “Politics, Privilege, and the Records of the Presidency.” Information & Culture 55, no. 3 (2020): 271–93.

3. Cox, Richard J. “America’s Pyramids: Presidents and Their Libraries.” Government Information Quarterly 19, no. 1 (2002): 45–75. Preview of article:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0740624X01000946

4. Visit the Center | The Obama Foundation

5. Trump Library.