Obama Library to be ‘Center for Citizenship’

Hours before the inauguration of Donald Trump, President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama released a video outlining their plans for the future Obama Presidential Center.

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The South Side center will be “more than a library or museum,” Barack Obama said in the video. “It’ll be a living, working center for citizenship. That’s why we want to hear from you. Tell us what you want this project to be.”

The center will have projects “all over the city, the country and the world,” he added.

Michelle Obama encouraged Americans to share their “ideas, hopes and beliefs,” for the center as well as the names of young leaders, companies and organizations that inspire them.

“This will be your presidential center as much as it is ours, so we want you to tell us what we should be thinking about as we get to work,” she said.

But before they get to work, the Obamas plan on taking a break to “get some sleep,” spend time with family and “be still for a little bit.”

The Obamas began their video thanking citizens for “the incredible privilege of serving this country that we love.”

Friday morning’s announcement came with a launch of a new website for the presidential center. For more information about the center or to share your ideas, visit obama.org.

Follow Kristen Thometz on Twitter: @KristenThometz


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