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Jimmy Carter Library • What Is A Presidential Library? • General Information About
    the Jimmy Carter Library • A History of the Jimmy
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Presidency: 1977 to 1981 The First Lady:
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What is a
Presidential Library
A Presidential Library is like a time capsule. Inside, you can find important documents, records, and letters. These are referred to as the Presidential Papers. You will also find audiovisual materials, campaign memorabilia, and gifts to the President and First Family. You can design your own gift of state in our new interactive – The Diplomacy Challenge.

The first presidential library was established in 1939 by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939 so that documents could be preserved and made available to the people. Since that time, ten more presidential libraries have opened. The following link takes you to a list of the eleven presidential libraries operated by the National Archives and Records Administration.

Also included in the Presidential library system is the Nixon Presidential Materials Staff, which administers the Nixon Presidential materials under the terms of the Presidential Recordings and Materials Preservation Act.

When a President leaves office, NARA establishes a Presidential project until a new Presidential library is built and transferred to the Government. Each President is responsible for financing and building a library. Once built, the federal government becomes responsible for the administration and operation of the library. Teachers, students, and others come from all over to use the materials in the library for research purposes.