Website features presidential trivia

By Elena Gimenez
For the Daily

Did you know that Warren G. Harding made a hobby of visiting burlesque shows? Or that a 332-pound William Howard Taft got stuck in the White House bathtub the first time he used it?

This trivia comes from a Website designed by University alumnus Bob Summers, titled "Presidents of the United States." It is one of the most popular places to visit on the School of Information's Internet Public Library.

But trivia is far from the only feature on this large site.

"The main goal of the site is to provide some basic content on the presidents, while also providing links to more advanced information to those who are interested," Summers said.

Web browsers can find everything from biographies and speeches to video and audio clips. One example is a clip from the groundbreaking Nixon/Kennedy debates. Those looking to focus on Kennedy's assassination can check out a link specifically devoted to this topic.

Lists of cabinet members, election results and additional links make this a very in-depth look at every man who has been the head of the executive branch of the U.S. government.

"It isn't just a list of links to other sites," said Summers, who single-handedly put this collection together.

POTUS is every U.S. history student's dream. It's as if Summers went to the library and found out everything students need to know ... and then some, students said.

"The site looks really interesting, plus it would be great if you needed to write a paper," said Engineering student Nick Bujwa.

In fact, many teachers and students have clamored to use Summer's site in the classroom since it's inception a year ago. Summers said he freely gives them permission.

The largest use of the site is undertaken by high schools. Another group who makes use of this site, Summers said, is "other presidential buffs like myself." He is continually adding to the collection, as users e-mail him with suggestions and comments.

IPL Director Joe Janes said Summers came to him with the idea of posting such a Website as part of an independent study project that Summers was working on as a University graduate student.

"Bob's obsession is the presidents," said Janes, laughing.

The IPL sponsors similar projects through a class taught at the School of Information.

The students act as a virtual staff for the IPL, and have the chance to pursue their own interests by adding to the IPL's archives.

Many students have chosen to create a variety of unique sites.

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