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Re: Presidential Libraries



Having visited six or seven Presidential libraries, here's my
comments for the average tourist.

(1)  Most folks that I've seen on visits to Truman, Eisenhower,
FDR, etc., like to see the objects of art that were given to the
President.   If there is a biography section, it should not be
too long or too detailed....and should hit on the highlights of
the Presidency or career.   Visual seems to predominate
over text.

(2) You should plan for various audiences.  I visited the FDR
Library when my daughter was only 5 and to her it was another
boring history stop of Daddy's...but she got really interested
when she found the exhibit case about Fala, FDR's dog for
on display was his collar, water dish, blanket and clothes,
etc....and the display case was LOWER--just right for kids.
THAT...to me was a fantastic piece of museum expertise.

I have a former U.S. Representative who has talked about
an "exhibit" of his career but it has been difficult to identify
"highlights" of a man who served his area and constituency
well, but was not a heavyweight in terms of conflict, or intro-
ducing and shepherding major national legislation.

Dean


Dean DeBolt
University Librarian
Special Collections and West Florida Archives
John C. Pace Library
University of West Florida
11000 University Parkway
Pensacola, FL  32514-5750
Tele:  850-474-2213;   Fax:  850-474-3338

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