Clinton library weighs revamping, changing its exhibits

By The Associated Press

The permanent exhibits at the Clinton Presidential Library could be revamped or entirely changed as the landmark dedicated to the former president's time in office approaches its fifth anniversary, the facility's director said Tuesday.

Library director Terri Garner said discussions have begun about how best to showcase Bill Clinton's pursuits since leaving office in January 2001. That could include displays about work done by the William J. Clinton Foundation, which focuses on HIV/AIDS prevention and environmental policy.

Then there's also the matter of his wife, Hillary, and her own political career in the years since.

"You have to be a little bit careful because this is a library about his presidency," Garner said. "However, there needs to be an aspect of the ongoing post-presidency as well."

The $165 million glass and steel library opened in November 2004. Now, visitors pass along hardwood floors through an open-air exhibit, a timeline in the center marks Clinton's time in office and holds numerous bound day planners. Alcove exhibits sit to either side of the timeline, noting events like the Oklahoma City bombing, Clinton-led peace efforts and the former president's impeachment and acquittal over the Monica Lewinsky affair.

Discussions on how to change the library remain in preliminary stages, Garner said. However, she acknowledged it could involve changing everything.

"Usually within five to ten years of a permanent exhibit, you want to revamp it, you want to address it not in a small way, but sometimes it's a completely new design," Garner said. "We're at the very, very, very beginning stages. Realize, of course, there's a significant cost associated with it."

Garner said the library hopes to at least have a plan in place by 2009 on what changes will be made.

How to honor Hillary Rodham Clinton also remains in question. The former first lady became New York's junior U.S. senator in 2001 and continues her campaign to become the Democratic presidential nominee.

Garner said exhibits looking at Hillary Clinton would remain focused on her time in the White House, though she gave the former president a new title as he left office.

"There's incorporation of more of his role as husband of a senator, rather than her as Sen. Clinton and a candidate," she said.

Still, Hillary Clinton remains a part of Arkansas' "Billgrimage" tour of several of the state's cities where the former governor lived and worked. The tour includes small "passports" visitors can get stamped as they visit the state Capitol in Little Rock, the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville where the two once taught, as well as Hot Springs and Hope.

On Tuesday, the library, along with state and cities on the tour, unveiled a pamphlet to replace the passports. Tourists and others quickly snapped up the 50,000 printed copies of passports, so officials hope the 150,000 printed pamphlets will last a bit longer.

The new pamphlet includes several pictures of Illinois-born Hillary Clinton and includes a mention of her work at Little Rock's Rose Law Firm, which later figured into the investigation of the failed Whitewater land development.

However, things like the Democratic presidential contest might need to shake out before Arkansas creates its own "Hillgrimage," said Joe David Rice, director of the state Department of Parks and Tourism.

"I think the jury's still out on that and it will be interesting to see what happens in the next few weeks," Rice said. "We've talked about that, but until something definitive happens, we're reluctant to take advantage of that."