Every city has a library. There is one building dedicated solely to preserving the thoughts and ideas of the writers and composers of the world. The shelves in this building are lined with book after book, arranged by genre and author, waiting for someone to wander in and gobble up the words in a manner that could only fill each writer with sheer joy and contentment. In Austin, that library is the Lyndon B. Johnson Library, located on the University of Texas campus at 2313 Red River.



The library is named after President Lyndon Baines Johnson, lovingly known as LBJ. LBJ was the 36th president of the United States. However, before LBJ moved into the White House he was a Texan. LBJ was a Texas State Senator, just as his grandfather was (his father was on the Texas legislature). He also served as the majority leader for six years. Then, in 1960 he was elected vice president to John F. Kennedy's president. When JFK was killed, LBJ took over. Given JFK's popularity, LBJ had some big shoes to fill, but fill them he did. In 1964, after finishing JFK's term, LBJ was reelected in a landslide victory as President of the United States. In office, he got the country through part of the Vietnam War and remained, although not always popular, one of the more reputable Presidents our country has seen.

Thus, it is no wonder that the library of Austin is the Lyndon B. Johnson Library. What other Texan would you name it after? It is also no surprise that LBJ's library is one of the most visited and largest presidential libraries in the U.S.

Within the library, there are, naturally, books. But there are also memorabilia and important papers from when LBJ was in office. These papers cover the turbulent years of the Vietnam War and leave all who see them with an important view of history and what happened in those violent 60s. Those who wish to sit in the reading room and . . . read can do so Monday through Friday, free of charge. The remainder of the library is open 364 days a year (all excluding Christmas) and is, again, free of charge. After all, how could a president deny literacy to his people?

If you plan on visiting the Lyndon B. Johnson library, it is recommended that you make a day of the trip, using the hours that surround your book perusal to take in the nearby sites of Austin. You will already be on the University of Texas? campus, so why not take a tour? And if you have someone of college age, it's all the better. From there, head down the street to check out the Bass Concert Hall, the UT Football Stadium, the Texas Memorial Museum and the University of Texas Tower. All are great attractions to see and will make your day all the more memorable.

Don't forget why you're there: books! Get into that library, soak up some history and most importantly read!!!