Office of Presidential Libraries

Overview
The Office of Presidential Libraries administers a nationwide network of Presidential libraries beginning with the 31st President of the United States, Herbert Hoover. These are not traditional libraries, but rather repositories for preserving and making accessible the papers, records, and other historical materials of U.S. Presidents.

When a President leaves office, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) establishes a Presidential project until a new Presidential library is built and transferred to the Government.

The Office of Presidential Libraries:


 * Establishes and coordinates policies with regard to Presidential Libraries, including programs for acquisition, preservation, and use of historical materials, and the development of new Presidential libraries.
 * Provides oversight of budgetary and management controls within the libraries and regularly convenes staff in the libraries to establish and review strategies for implementing the mission and goals of Presidential libraries.
 * In coordination with NARA's General Counsel and other NARA officials, maintains liaison with the incumbent administration and with officials of former administrations with regard to organization, storage and reference service on Presidential materials.