DELAWARE- Former President Joe Biden plans to build his presidential library in Delaware, according to AP News. He has asked former aides, friends and political allies to begin fundraising and searching for a site.
The Joe and Jill Biden Foundation recently approved a 13-member board to guide the project, AP reported. The board includes Secretary of State Antony Blinken, longtime adviser Steve Ricchetti and Democratic fundraiser Rufus Gifford.
While the exact location of the library in the first state has not been determined, people in Rehoboth Beach expect it to be in northern Delaware.
"It's a great idea to put his collection of writings and all of his materials that are available in one place, I think it's great. I do think perhaps it should be up in the Wilmington area where it gives a greater number of people access to see the materials to study all the good works he has done and review it." said Steven Schnepp.
Biden’s library team is still in the early planning stages, but Gifford said the cost will likely fall between that of the Obama Presidential Center and the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, according to AP News.
Advisers to the former president have consulted with officials from 12 of the 13 presidential libraries overseen by the National Archives and Records Administration, said AP. They did not visit the Herbert Hoover Library in Iowa, which is closed for renovations.
The team has also spoken with Obama library officials about programming and site planning. They have begun discussions with Delaware leaders to explore possible partnerships, AP noted.