preslibs - research for a book about the politics and history of presidential libraries

I wrote an article recently about some negative experiences I have had at NARA. While I am critical of the agency in the article for the way that some officials treated me (and handled their own records), I believe that these officials do not represent the vast majority of those who work at NARA. I have been researching my book for more than five years and have had many opportunities to interact with NARA staff all over the country.

Most NARA staff - especially at the libraries - have treated me with professionalism, courtesy and respect, and have provided me with, to my knowledge, every document, item and piece of information that they have been able or authorized to provide. They have made themselves available for both in-person interviews and follow-up questions. At many presidential libraries, the Directors arranged my interviews with staff members, and several Directors and Deputy Directors enthusiastically discussed my project with me at length. Their encouragement has been very important to me. Before and after my visits, staff at the presidential libraries responded promptly and thoroughly to my email or phone requests, usually within a day or two. The officers and staff of the private foundations that support the libraries with whom I have met have been generous with their time and have greatly aided my research. Staff at Archives II (the 1.7-million-square-foot NARA complex in College Park, MD) in the Library, Textual and Audio Visual Research Rooms and other departments have been professional, thoughtful, helpful and competent.

I am grateful for the diligent and thorough work of all of these fine people. In my opinion, they do not get nearly enough credit and recognition for their efforts, and I sincerely thank them all.