Introduction
The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum collects, preserves, and makes available primary-source materials, in all formats, pertaining to the life and times of John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States. The Library's holdings include the papers of John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, Joseph P. Kennedy, and Rose Kennedy, as well as close to 400 other collections: those of Kennedy family members, Kennedy administration officials and associates, and pertinent individuals, authors, and institutions. The John F. Kennedy Library also houses the Ernest Hemingway Collection and the John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy Oral History Collections.
All materials held by the Kennedy Library are governed by a formal legal instrument – typically a Deed of Gift – that formally transfers their ownership to the United States so that they may be preserved, arranged and described, and made available to the public. The overall collection comprises more than 30,000 cubic feet of material (over 48 million items) and continues to grow through active solicitations and donations.
Research Overview
Whether you are utilizing our holdings remotely or in person, we have many resources available to help you begin your research. Finding aids
(registers, inventories, indexes, folder title lists) are the primary
locating tools for archival materials, and are available online and in
the main research room for each collection that is open for research. To search for or browse information
about all of our collections, both processed and unprocessed, click on Search the Archives. Here you will also gain access to a growing collection of digitized historical
documents, images, and other materials. For a list of all of all available collections and holdings at the Library, click on the following link: browse collections.
To further assist you in your research, the Archives staff regularly updates the Ready Reference
portion of our website. Here you'll find answers to frequently asked
questions, transcripts and page images of select speeches given by John
F. Kennedy, a summary of legislation passed or proposed during President
Kennedy's administration, and other helpful resources. If the resources there do not fully answer your questions, please contact our reference staff.
Collections Overview
Textual Collections |
Audiovisual Collections |
Hemingway Collection
Oral History Program |
Museum Artifacts |
Books & Other Printed Materials
Textual Collections 
The Library's textual collections originate from various sources, namely government agencies, government employees, and private citizens. These materials are available to anyone interested in studying the life, administration, and legacy of John F. Kennedy. The best-used collections comprise John F. Kennedy's presidential records (1961-1963), particularly the President's Office Files and the National Security Files. In addition, the Library holds approximately 400 collections of personal papers and White House staff files that document the activities and careers of Kennedy administration officials and staff, as well as Kennedy family members, friends, associates, and contemporaries.
To browse digitized textual collections, click on the following link: digitized textual materials.
If you would like more information about our textual holdings (including duplication services) or wish to make an appointment to use the research facilities, please email us at Kennedy.Library@nara.gov or call our reference desk at 617-514-1629.
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Audiovisual Collections
The Library's audiovisual collections originated primarily from government agencies, newspapers, television networks, private organizations, and individual citizens. These materials offer rich documentary sources for studying the life and administration of President John F. Kennedy. The core of the audiovisual holdings include photographs, motion pictures, and sound recordings made by White House personnel (1961-1963). The Library also houses collections that document the activities and careers of Robert F. Kennedy, other members of the Kennedy family, as well as friends, associates, and contemporaries. In all, the Library holds approximately 400,000 still photographs (1863-1984), 7,550,000 feet of motion picture film (1910-1983), and 11,000 reels of sound recordings (1910-1985).
To browse digitized audiovisual materials, click on any of the following links: photographs, sound recordings, or moving images.
If you would like more information about the audiovisual holdings (including duplication services) or wish to make an appointment to use the audiovisual research room, please email us at Kennedy.Library@nara.gov or call our reference line at 617-514-1622.
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Ernest Hemingway Collection 
The Ernest Hemingway Collection at the John F. Kennedy Library is the most comprehensive Hemingway archives in the world and is essential to anyone pursuing a definitive or in-depth study of Hemingway and his writing. The Hemingway Research Room's primary mission is to serve researchers, then educational groups and the general public. The room is not open for general interest or browsing, rather, for researchers who require the use of the Library's unique manuscript, audiovisual, and documentary holdings related to Ernest Hemingway.
If you would like more information about the Ernest Hemingway Collection or wish to make an appointment to use the Hemingway Research Room, please contact the Hemingway Curator at 617- 514-1530.
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Museum Artifacts 
The Museum Collection comprises close to 20,000 three-dimensional objects and works of art related to the life, career, and legacy of President John F. Kennedy. Among the Museum's holdings are state gifts presented to President Kennedy by world leaders – including an Egyptian funerary statue from 2500 B.C. and a gem-encrusted sword and scabbard from Morocco – as well as unique and handmade gifts from private citizens.
The Museum Collection also contains the personal memorabilia of President Kennedy, including his private collections of scrimshaw and ship models, and items associated with his military and political careers, and presidency. One object of note is a plastic-encased coconut shell dating from the President’s World War II military service (as Commander of the PT 109), which was displayed prominently on his desk in the White House Oval Office.
Included in the Museum's holdings is a comprehensive collection of Mrs. Kennedy’s wardrobe from the White House period, which offers a glimpse into her unique public role and accomplishments as First Lady.
For more information about the Museum Collection, see the Exhibits section of the website, or view digitized museum artifacts.
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Oral History Program 
The Oral History Program is one of the oldest continuing activities of the John F. Kennedy Library; its goal is to collect, preserve, and make available interviews conducted with individuals who were in some way associated with John F. Kennedy and his legacy. The collection comprises more than 1,700 interviews that, taken together, provide a unique perspective on John F. Kennedy's life and presidency and the events and personalities that shaped his times. Interviewees included prominent public figures as well as private individuals who played unique or distinct roles in the history of the period.
The collection also contains interviews with members of Congress, administration officials, national and state political leaders, business and labor leaders, journalists, civil rights leaders, foreign government officials, and people who opposed Kennedy administration policies. As a supplement to the personal papers of Robert F. Kennedy, the collection includes approximately 265 interviews focusing on Robert F. Kennedy's career and particularly his role as U.S. Attorney General, Senator from New York, and U.S. presidential candidate in 1968.
To browse a list of all oral history interviews and transcripts (where available), click here: oral history interviews.
If you would like more information about the Oral History Program, please contact our reference desk at Kennedy.Library@nara.gov or 617-514-1629.
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Books & Other Printed Materials
The Printed Materials Collection is a special library of published and unpublished literature that centers primarily on the life, work , and times of John F. Kennedy. The collection comprises books, doctoral dissertations, conference papers, government publications, periodicals, microforms, graduate and undergraduate theses, student papers, and clippings. It is intended to serve as a rich if not definitive body of Kennedy-related secondary literature. Materials are available on-site to all interested researchers.
If you have questions about the Printed Materials Collection, please contact our reference desk at Kennedy.Library@nara.gov or 617-514-1629.