Former President Joe Biden has initiated efforts to raise funds for his future presidential library. This week, the Joe and Jill Biden Foundation established a governance board of 13 members to direct the project. This board will oversee the project’s planning, fundraising, and eventual construction.
While libraries often serve as a testament to a president’s time in office, they also work as centers for the public to access historical records, educational programs, and temporary exhibits. Presidential libraries are traditionally built with private donations and run with the support of the National Archives and Records Administration. These libraries become repositories of a president’s administration’s history.
The concept of a presidential library can be traced back to Franklin D. Roosevelt, who decided to preserve his papers and make them accessible to the public. Since Roosevelt, it’s become customary for each president to have a library in their name. The role of these libraries is to store documents, records, and various items from the president’s time in office.
Biden’s library, like those before it, is expected to house countless documents and artifacts from his tenure, creating a comprehensive record of his administration. Unlike presidential museums, which sometimes accompany libraries, the primary focus of these institutions is archival. They make sure that researchers, scholars, and the public can access firsthand accounts of a president’s time in office.
Although the specific location for Biden’s library remains undecided, many past presidents have selected sites rich in personal significance or historical context. These sites often become important cultural and research hubs for the area.
The governance board’s primary task will be to map out a fundraising strategy. Funding such a venture is no small feat. Barack Obama’s foundation, for instance, raised hundreds of millions for his presidential center in Chicago. Similarly, Biden’s project will require substantial financial backing, underscoring the critical role of the board and its fundraising efforts.
One of the board’s significant tasks is determining what aspects of Biden’s presidency will become focal points in the library’s exhibitions and programs. Presidential libraries often reflect the challenges, achievements, and even controversies faced during the president’s time in office. They showcase major accomplishments, policy initiatives, and crises that have marked the administration.
Anticipation surrounds the potential themes of Biden’s library, such as his administration’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, efforts to combat climate change, or initiatives on social justice and infrastructure. Reflecting significant national and international events during his tenure could offer valuable insights into both his administration and the broader impacts on the country.
In addition to physical exhibits and archives, modern presidential libraries are increasingly embracing digital platforms. This inclusion allows a more extensive reach, enabling people from around the globe to access documents and resources online. Biden’s library will likely follow this trend, offering digital exhibitions and access to archives over the internet, broadening its accessibility and educational reach.
The governance board will also oversee the library’s design and construction. This phase often reflects both historical and contemporary architectural influences, emphasizing sustainability and community integration. As plans progress, the site is expected to become a local cultural and educational landmark.