Commemorative "Presidential Libraries" Stamp to Be Unveiled at Carter Library Stamp Marks 50th Anniversary of Presidential Libraries Act

ATLANTA, GA.(July 11) - The new commemorative "Presidential Libraries" postage stamp will be unveiled at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum on Thursday, August 4 at 10:30 a.m. The 37 cent postage stamp marks the 50th anniversary of the Presidential Libraries Act and honors the eleven current Presidential Libraries, as well as the Richard Nixon Library which joins the Presidential Library system next year.

   "We are pleased to be one of the sites for the official unveiling and first day of issuance of the Presidential Libraries stamp," said Dr. Jay Hakes, the Director of the Carter Presidential Library. "The stamp not only commemorates the Presidential Libraries, it is a reminder of the important role the libraries play in a democracy."

   The unveiling ceremony will be held in the lobby of the Carter Presidential Museum. It is free and open to the public. The new Presidential Libraries stamp, as well as commemorative first day of issuance materials, will be on sale at the library.

   It was President Franklin Roosevelt who first proposed creating a repository for Presidential materials. In 1939, he pledged part of his estate at Hyde Park, New York for the construction of a library and museum for his own Presidential papers. Roosevelt observed that the lessons of the past would allow citizens to "gain in judgment in creating [the] future."

   Since then, Presidential Libraries have been established in the home state of each President. Funds to build each library come from private sources, while the maintenance and operation of the libraries are provided by the National Archives and Records Administration.

   Inspired by Roosevelt's example, the Presidential Libraries Act of 1955 enabled Presidents to donate their materials to the federal government for preservation and public access. Even so, Presidents were still considered the sole owners of the materials generated during their Administration and were not required to turn over their records. The Presidential Records Act of 1978 went further and stated that all statutory, constitutional and ceremonial papers generated during a President's completed term in office are the property of the United States Government and must be placed in the custody of the Archivist of the United States. The 1978 Act also established that the Presidential Libraries system should continue as the repository for subsequent Presidential records.

   The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library is the only Presidential Library in the Southeast. The building was dedicated on October 1, 1986 (Jimmy Carter's 62nd birthday). The research room where scholars examine Presidential materials opened January 28, 1987.

   The Carter Library holds more than 27 million documents, one million feet of film, 600,000 photographs, 2500 hours of audio tapes and 1250 hours of video tape.

   The Carter Presidential Museum traces the life and career of the 39th President with historic photographs, documents and artifacts. There is an exact replica of the Oval Office, decorated as it was during the Carter Administration. Visitors see exquisite State Gifts and special temporary exhibitions.

   In addition to its role preserving Presidential materials and presenting the history of the Carter Administration, the Carter Library hosts free author lectures, seminars, concerts and other cultural activities.

   The Carter Presidential Center sits in a 35 acre wooded park. There are beautiful gardens, two lakes joined by a waterfall and a serene Japanese Garden.

   The Presidential Museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until 4:45 p.m. and on Sunday from noon until 4:45 p.m. Admission to the museum is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors (60+), military and students with ID's. Those 16 and under are always free. Parking is also free.