Hackman is also stepping down from his other role as president of the Truman Library Institute. The Library has clarified its mission, adopted a compelling vision, identified the issues critical to success, and is pursuing sound strategies to address them. Staff has been established or strengthened in education, public programs, visitor services, archives, and volunteer and intern management. Overall the Library staff is better organized, better trained and better equipped. The Library has a much higher public profile, especially in Greater Kansas City, and its potential for service is better understood.
Expectations are higher, inside and out.
The plans, resources and relationships are in place to create the Classroom for Democracy programs and to complete the renovation which is already well underway. The Institute Board, the National Archives leadership, and the Truman Library and Institute staff have worked hard and well to bring us to this point. The good counsel and great financial support we have received in Greater Kansas City has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I cannot express enough my gratitude to all the people who I have had the privilege to work with these past five years. The task seemed daunting at the time, and at times it was.