A Series of Unexpected Cancellations at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library
This week, three book events scheduled to take place at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta were abruptly canceled. The events, which were set to feature authors discussing topics such as climate change, homelessness, and the civil rights movement, had been planned months in advance. However, the authors were recently informed that their events would need to be moved to other venues, and all related information was removed from the library’s website. This sudden decision has raised concerns about whether recent leadership changes at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), which oversees the 13 presidential libraries, are impacting programming decisions.
The affected authors included Elaine Weiss, whose book Spell Freedom: The Underground Schools that Built the Civil Rights Movement explores the history of the Highlander Folk School and its role in training Black southerners to pass Jim Crow-era literacy tests. Weiss expressed shock and disappointment over the cancellation, calling it “chilling” and highlighting the irony of an event about voting rights and democracy being shut down at a library dedicated to a president known for his commitment to democracy. She questioned whether the cancellation was related to the subject matter of her book, but emphasized that the story it tells is deeply patriotic.
Other authors affected by the cancellations included Mike Tidwell, who was scheduled to discuss his book The Lost Trees of Willow Avenue: A Story of Climate and Hope on One American Street, and Brian Goldstone, whose book There Is No Place for Us examines the lives of five “working homeless” families in Atlanta. By Friday evening, all traces of these events had vanished from the library’s website. Goldstone’s publisher, Crown, revealed that the Carter Library had informed them of a new requirement: all programming, even events already scheduled, would now need approval from NARA in Washington, D.C.
The National Archives press office declined to comment directly on whether it had been involved in the decision to cancel the events. However, it released a statement asserting that each presidential library has the authority to make its own programming decisions, as long as they align with NARA’s core mission of preserving and making government records accessible to the public. Despite this, the cancellations have sparked concerns about the potential politicization of cultural and educational programming at these institutions.
Leadership Changes and Broader Turmoil at NARA
The cancellations at the Carter Library come amid broader upheaval at the National Archives, which has been a focal point of controversy under the Trump administration. On February 7, President Trump abruptly fired Colleen J. Shogan, the national archivist appointed by President Biden. Shogan’s termination was seen as part of a broader effort by Trump to reshape the federal government, particularly through budget cuts and the appointment of loyalists to key positions. Trump named Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, as the acting archivist, and later announced that Jim Byron, CEO of the Richard Nixon Foundation, would manage the archives on a day-to-day basis until a permanent replacement is named.
These changes have raised alarms among historians, researchers, and advocates for government transparency. Presidential libraries, which house the official records of past presidents, are operated by NARA but rely heavily on private funding for their construction and maintenance. The abrupt closure of the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum in Boston earlier this month, reportedly due to staff cuts demanded by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, has further fueled concerns about the stability and independence of these institutions. The Kennedy Library reopened the following day, but the archives did not provide an explanation for the closure, leaving many unanswered questions.
The Broader Implications of the Cancellations
While some events at the Carter Library appear to be unaffected—such as a scheduled talk by legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin on presidential pardons and an exhibition featuring the work of African-American artist Lonnie Holley—the cancellations of the three book events have drawn sharp criticism. Many see the decision as an attempt to suppress discussions on sensitive topics, particularly at a time when voting rights and climate change are highly politicized issues. Elaine Weiss has since relocated her event to the Georgia Center for the Book, a private nonprofit affiliated with the Library of Congress. However, she has not minced words about the symbolism of the cancellation, calling it a betrayal of the values that the Carter Library was established to uphold.
The cancellations have also sparked a broader conversation about the role of presidential libraries in fostering dialogue and education. These institutions are not just repositories of historical records; they are also spaces for public engagement and reflection on the challenges and triumphs of American democracy. By shutting down events that explore contentious issues, critics argue, the Carter Library is undermining its own mission to promote understanding and civic engagement.
The Authors Speak Out
Elaine Weiss has been particularly vocal about the cancellation of her event, framing it as a Reflection of a larger effort to curate a sanitized version of American history. “We are being told that we all have to tell ‘patriotic’ stories about American history,” she said in an interview. “To me, this is the most patriotic story imaginable.” Her book, which highlights the grassroots efforts of Black southerners to overcome systemic barriers to voting, is a powerful reminder of the struggles that have shaped American democracy. Weiss sees the cancellation as a step backward in the ongoing fight for equality and free expression.
Mike Tidwell and Brian Goldstone have also expressed disappointment over the loss of their platforms. Tidwell’s book, which explores the intersection of climate change and community resilience, offers a hopeful vision of how individuals can come together to address environmental challenges. Goldstone’s work, meanwhile, sheds light on the often-invisible lives of working homeless families in Atlanta, humanizing a crisis that is frequently reduced to statistics. Both authors had hoped to use their events at the Carter Library to spark meaningful conversations about their topics, and they are now left wondering whether their messages are being intentionally silenced.
The Future of Programming at Presidential Libraries
As the dust settles on these cancellations, many are left wondering what the future holds for programming at presidential libraries. While the Carter Library has not provided a clear explanation for its decision, the broader context of leadership changes at NARA and the Trump administration’s broader efforts to reshape the federal government suggest that this may not be an isolated incident. The ability of these institutions to independently determine their programming is a critical factor in their ability to serve as spaces for open and inclusive dialogue.
The cancellation of these events has also raised questions about the role of politics in shaping cultural and educational programming. Presidential libraries are meant to be nonpartisan spaces, dedicated to preserving and interpreting the legacy of a president and his administration. However, as the recent events at the Carter Library demonstrate, they are not immune to the influence of broader political forces. Whether these institutions can maintain their independence and continue to foster meaningful dialogue on contentious issues remains to be seen.
A Call to Action
In the wake of these cancellations, Elaine Weiss, Mike Tidwell, and Brian Goldstone have all emphasized the importance of standing up for free expression and the open exchange of ideas. Their experiences serve as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by institutions that seek to promote nuanced and often uncomfortable conversations about the past, present, and future of American democracy. As Weiss so eloquently put it, “The book is about voting rights, and about using education as a liberating tool.” It is precisely this kind of storytelling that is most at risk when programming decisions are influenced by political considerations rather than a commitment to the truth.
The cancellation of these events at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum is more than just a logistical setback; it is a call to action for those who believe in the importance of preserving and promoting our collective history. By speaking out and advocating for the independence of these institutions, we can ensure that presidential libraries remain spaces where difficult but necessary conversations can take place. The legacy of Jimmy Carter, a man who dedicated his life to democracy and human rights, deserves nothing less.
