Cancelations at Carter Library spark concerns over programming oversight
The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta.
ATLANTA - Three book events at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta were abruptly canceled late this week, according to the New York Times.
This has led many to wonder if new leadership at the National Archives is now affecting the event programming at all 13 presidential libraries.
What we know:
Three events featuring authors on climate change, homelessness, and the civil rights movement were scheduled months in advance but were suddenly canceled. Authors were informed they would have to move to other venues, and all related event information was removed from the library’s website.
Affected speakers include Elaine Weiss, author of Spell Freedom: The Underground Schools that Built the Civil Rights Movement; Mike Tidwell, author of The Lost Trees of Willow Avenue: A Story of Climate and Hope on One American Street; and Brian Goldstone, author of There Is No Place for Us.
For Weiss’s event, her publicist at Simon & Schuster reportedly told her that the cancelation was due to the library—now facing staff cuts—requiring programming approval from Washington. She will now appear on March 12 at Decatur Library at an event organized by the Georgia Center for the Book.
Goldstone’s publisher reportedly said a local bookseller informed them on Feb. 19 the library now needed approval from the National Archives for all programs, even those already scheduled. It appears that his appearance has also been moved to Decatur Library.
At this time, it is unknown if Tidwell's event has been rescheduled for a different location.
Not all events at the Carter Library were canceled. An event featuring legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin on Feb. 26 and another with African-American artist Lonnie Holley remain on the library’s schedule.
The backstory:
These cancelations come amid broader turmoil at the National Archives.
On Feb. 7, President Trump abruptly fired national archivist Colleen J. Shogan, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio was named acting archivist. On Feb. 16, Jim Byron was appointed to manage day-to-day operations until a permanent replacement is found.
Earlier this month, the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum in Boston briefly closed to the public following staff cuts reportedly demanded by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. Although the Kennedy Library reopened the next day without explanation, the incident added to concerns about operational disruptions at presidential libraries.
What they're saying:
Elaine Weiss described the cancelation as "chilling." She told reporters, "The idea that a program about a book about democracy has to be approved by someone in Washington was and should be for everyone very scary. The book is about voting rights, and about using education as a liberating tool."
The National Archives Public and Media Communications staff provided the following statement to FOX 5 Atlanta:
The National Archives entrusts leadership at individual presidential libraries across the United States with planning events and educational programs at those presidential libraries. Programs and events must always advance and uphold NARA’s core mission: to preserve the records of the United States and make them available to the public. On this issue, leadership at the Carter Presidential Library is empowered to make their own decisions about scheduling events and programs.
Why you should care:
As the controversy unfolds, many are left to wonder whether these abrupt cancelations signal a broader shift in how presidential libraries will handle programming amid evolving oversight from Washington.