See http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/19/AR2006031 900944_pf.html or http://shrinkster.com/d63 for article, "Nixon's Library Joins the Club" in the Washington Post (registration required), March 20, 2006. The article states that the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda, California will join NARA's system of Presidential Libraries this summer. A few extracts for those who are unable to access the article: "Some historians are concerned that the records transfer might increase the Nixon family's influence over the important papers and tapes that researchers have had access to in Maryland. Also, they said, asking taxpayers to foot the bill for the construction of the storage facility at the library is unusual." *************** "Stanley I. Kutler, a University of Wisconsin historian, said the construction money is a return on an investment the foundation made in some of Washington's most expensive lobbyists three years ago in a bid to acquire Nixon's records and win acceptance into the presidential library system." ****************** "Federal archivists processing the Nixon materials in Maryland dickered for years with the ex-president's representatives over which records should be categorized as "personal" and returned to Nixon or his estate. A long registry of people had to be given a chance to review any tapes or papers mentioning them that were about to be released. "Over 20 years or more, they have been obstacles to access in almost every way they can," said [historian Anna] Nelson, referring to the Nixon estate and foundation." ******************** "The concerns of historians on an emotional basis is completely understandable," [Nixon foundation executive director John] Taylor said. "The course of the Nixon White House records since 1974 has been fraught with friction and controversy and litigation on several sides. And one of the virtues of what's about to happen is that we hope and trust that that period is coming to an end. . . . Looking forward, I don't think there's any basis for concern. Indeed, I know there is no basis for concern." Kutler, who sued to force the public disclosure of more than 200 hours of Nixon's tapes, is not as confident. "I have great difficulty believing that the guarantees that the Archives will really be running the place will come true," he said. "Look, we've had 30 years of these people dealing from the bottom of the deck. There is one set of rules for everybody else, and there's one set for them. . . . Everything should have been out by now. I just think there are going to be further delays." [END EXTRACTS] Maarja (former NARA Nixon tapes archivist, 1976-1990) A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List sponsored by the Society of American Archivists, www.archivists.org. For the terms of participation, please refer to http://www.archivists.org/listservs/arch_listserv_terms.asp. To subscribe or unsubscribe, send e-mail to [log in to unmask] In body of message: SUB ARCHIVES firstname lastname *or*: UNSUB ARCHIVES To post a message, send e-mail to [log in to unmask] Or to do *anything* (and enjoy doing it!), use the web interface at http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/archives.html Problems? Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <[log in to unmask]>