The LBJ Library holds documents, audio recordings, and artifacts from Johnson's presidency and political career

The Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library is located on the University of Texas at Austin campus and contains over 45 million pages of documents, along with photographs, video recordings, oral histories, and personal items from Johnson's life. The library preserves materials from his time as a U.S. Representative, Senator, Vice President, and President, spanning from the 1930s through the 1970s.

The library is open to the public and operates as both a museum and a research archive. Visitors can tour exhibits about Johnson's presidency, the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Act, and the Great Society programs. Researchers can access the document collections in person or request materials through the library's website.

Key Takeaways

  • The LBJ Library is located on the University of Texas at Austin campus and is open to the public for tours and research.
  • The collection includes over 45 million pages of documents, photographs, audio recordings, and video materials from Johnson's political career.
  • Museum exhibits cover Johnson's presidency, major legislation like the Civil Rights Act and Medicare, and the Vietnam War.
  • Researchers can visit in person to access archival materials or request documents through the library's online system.
  • The library also houses the papers of people close to Johnson, including his advisors and family members.

What's in the museum exhibits

The museum portion of the library displays artifacts, photographs, and interactive exhibits organized by theme. Exhibits cover Johnson's early political career in Texas, his rise to the Senate, his vice presidency under John F. Kennedy, and his presidency from 1963 to 1969. You can see personal items like Johnson's desk, clothing, and gifts he received from world leaders.

Major exhibits focus on specific policies and events: the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the creation of Medicare and Medicaid, the Apollo space program, and the Vietnam War. The library also displays materials related to Johnson's wife, Lady Bird Johnson, and her environmental conservation work. Audio and video stations let you listen to speeches and watch news footage from the era.

How to access the research collections

The archival collections are stored in climate-controlled vaults and are not on open shelves. To use the research materials, you must visit the library in person or submit a request through the mail or online. Researchers can view documents in the reading room during business hours, which are typically Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., though hours vary by season.

Before your visit, you can search the library's online catalog to locate specific documents, oral histories, or collections. The catalog describes what materials exist and where they are stored. If you find something you want to see, you can request it in advance so the staff can retrieve it from storage. Some materials are restricted and require special permission or a waiting period before they can be viewed.

What documents and materials are available

The library holds Johnson's personal papers, including his correspondence, daily schedules, and handwritten notes. It also contains the official records of his presidency: cabinet meeting notes, National Security Council documents, and communications with Congress. The collection includes materials related to major policy areas like civil rights, education, poverty reduction, and foreign policy.

The oral history collection consists of recorded interviews with people who worked with or knew Johnson, including cabinet members, advisors, family members, and political figures. These interviews were conducted after Johnson left office and provide firsthand accounts of events and decisions. The library also holds photographs from Johnson's personal collection and from official White House photographers, as well as video recordings of speeches, press conferences, and public events.

Visiting the library in person

The LBJ Library is located at 2313 Red River Street on the University of Texas campus in Austin. Admission to the museum is free, though donations are accepted. The library is open most days of the year, but hours and days vary, so you should check the website before planning your visit. Parking is available on campus, and the building is accessible to people with mobility limitations.

The museum tour typically takes one to three hours depending on how much time you spend at each exhibit. The library has a gift shop and a café. If you plan to use the research collections, you should allow several hours and bring a photo ID. The staff can answer questions about the collections and help you locate materials.

How to request materials by mail or online

If you cannot visit in person, you can request copies of documents through the library's website or by mail. The library charges fees for photocopies, scans, and shipping, though the cost varies depending on the size and number of documents. Requests are processed in the order they are received, and turnaround time can range from a few weeks to several months depending on the volume of requests and the complexity of what you are asking for.

To make a request, you will need to provide specific information about what you are looking for: the collection name, the date range, the subject matter, or the names of people involved. The more specific you can be, the faster the library can locate the materials. You can also contact the library by phone or email to ask a reference question about whether certain materials exist before you submit a formal request.

Research topics commonly studied at the LBJ Library

Historians, journalists, students, and policy researchers use the LBJ Library to study the 1960s, the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Great Society programs. The library's collections are particularly strong on domestic policy, congressional relations, and presidential decision-making during a period of significant social and political change. Researchers also study Johnson's personal life, his relationship with Congress, and his political style.

The library maintains finding aids and research guides on its website that point researchers toward relevant collections on specific topics. These guides can help you understand what materials exist and where to start your research. The library staff can also provide guidance on which collections are most relevant to your research question and can suggest materials you might not have found on your own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a cost to visit the museum?

Admission to the museum is free. The library accepts donations to support its operations and preservation work. If you use the research collections, there are no fees to view materials in the reading room, but photocopies, scans, and shipped materials have fees that vary based on what you request.

Can I bring children to the museum?

Yes, the museum is open to visitors of all ages. Some exhibits include interactive elements and video stations that may interest younger visitors. The library does not have a dedicated children's area, so you should consider the age and interests of the children when planning your visit.

How do I know if the library has a specific document I'm looking for?

You can search the library's online catalog on its website. The catalog describes collections and individual items. If you cannot find what you are looking for, you can contact the library by phone or email and ask a reference librarian to help you locate materials or determine whether they exist in the collection.

Can I use materials from the LBJ Library in my research or publication?

Yes, materials in the collection are generally available for research and publication use. Some materials may have copyright restrictions or may be closed for a period of time. The library can tell you about any restrictions on specific materials and can provide guidance on how to cite materials in your work.

What if I want to donate materials related to Lyndon Johnson?

The library accepts donations of documents, photographs, and other materials related to Johnson and his era. You can contact the library to discuss what you have and whether it fits the collection's scope. The library will evaluate donations and determine whether they can be added to the archive.