Why are these Presidential places called Libraries and NOT museums?

[diabeticman]

They seem to have more displays like a museum would so why are they called libraries OR better yet why not archives?

[NYC_SKP]

1. Because, IMHO, "Library" suggests a collection of a body of important intellectual work...

whereas "Museum" could mean any sort of historic collection.

In other words, it's a very self-serving and specious term.

Especially in the current case.

[Tx4obama]

2. Bush's is called: George W Bush Presidential Library And Museum

On the front of the George W. Bush Presidential Center building it says: George W Bush Presidential Library And Museum

[Leslie Valley]

4. As is LBJ's

[pipoman]

10. And Ike's...

[jberryhill]

11. ...and hotel and casino

[datasuspect]

13. scrap metal with onsite liquor store

or The George W. Bush Ceremonial Drive Thru Likker Barn

[grantcart]

3. There not. Actual name is "George W. Bush Library and Museum"

http://bushlibrary.tamu.edu/

http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2013/04/25/george-w-bush-presidential-library-museum-dedication/

They earn the library part because they house tens of thousands of papers that are made available to historical scholars.

[Recursion]

5. They hold documents and archives that scholars use

The part the public can see is usually like a museum; there's also an area for researchers and scholars to go through the administration's documents.

George Washington's library is about to open (after only 214 years) as an adjunct to Mount Vernon, for instance. Some of the more interesting documents (like his copy of the Constitution with his handwritten notes in the margin) will be on display at the museum, but the bulk of the documents will be back in the stacks and available to scholars.

[BainsBane]

6. They are archives really

Repositories of presidential papers and artifacts. Most of what they contain is written, hence library as opposed to museum.

[Lithos]

7. Because Congress said so

The Library system is maintained by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and authorized by Congress in the Presidential Libraries Act of 1955.

http://www.archives.gov/presidential-libraries/laws/1955-act.html

[johnsolaris]

8. prez papers

Hi,

The so called libraries also hold all the former president's papers, What actually happened during the Administration. So called Scholars,
People that write books about History & stuff go to these Libraries & research the former Prez & his papers & make contributions to the Historical record by writing more books.

Many of the formers President's papers are kept in the national archives in Washington, but many including some tape recordings are kept in the Libraries, Which are run by the National Archive branch of the government.

[diabeticman]

9. Thanks everyone for clearing that up.

[hobbit709]

12. In Bush's case it should be called a penitentiary.

[sofa king]

14. They are National Archives repositories.

In theory each one is supposed to retain all of the documentation created by that particular President and his staff. That is why every Republican President since Reagan has delayed the public release of documentation relating to the previous (criminally acting) Republican President.

Here's the documentation one can find in the newest library:

[marions ghost]

15. This Lie-bury

is a monument to the most disastrous presidency in the history of the US. A mausoleum representing a dark time that we would do well never to forget. I'm sure it's creepy as hell. Being as it's a little piece of Hell on Earth.

[dawg]

17. Crap.

You had the same idea as me, and you had it one minute quicker.

[marions ghost]

20. whew

I thought when I saw "crap" from you that you were gonna strongly disagree and I would have to smite you in some way. we think alike.

[dawg]

16. You spelled it wrong. It's lie-bury.

It's the place where they try to bury all their lies and whitewash the historical record of their time in office. Except for Carter. That man is the real deal.