It started as a laundry room. In 1935 it was turned into a library and in 1961 “a committee was appointed to select works representative of a full spectrum of American thought and tradition for the use of the President, his family, and his staff.”
Here’s a look at how some of the past inhabitants of the White House used the library.
Richard Nixon delivering a speech,1972
Gerald Ford after delivering a televised speech, 1975
Jimmy Carter delivering his version of FDR’s fireside chats, 1977
Ronald Reagan and Russian President Gorbachev,1987
President Barack Obama giving an interview to an AP reporter
Lots more at The White House Museum website