TOURISM : Fear of Long Lines Seen as Deterrent to Would-Be Visitors at Nixon Library

Has the Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace fallen victim to its own publicity wave?

That’s the question Kevin Cartwright asks when people say they haven’t visited yet because they don’t want to have to wait in line.

Cartwright, the library’s spokesman, said the facility has had an average of 1,000 visitors a day since opening to the public July 20. At that pace, the library’s annual attendance would fall short of the 500,000-visitor-a-year estimate projected when ground was broken two years ago.

Cartwright said he tells people that there are few waits at the library and that the building can handle large groups.

He said some people may have the impression there are long waits at the library because of the hoopla during its opening, which was attended by President Bush and former Presidents Nixon, Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford. The library has attracted worldwide attention.

Visitors have ranged from Southern Californians to out-of-state tourists to foreign visitors, especially from Japan. Cartwright said that 35 Japanese news agencies covered the opening ceremonies, giving the library wide exposure in the Far East.

Cartwright said the library should appeal to budget-conscious tourists. At $3.95 for adults, $2 for senior citizens and free admission for children under 11, the price of admission is much lower than that of Disneyland or Knott’s Berry Farm.

So far, the library has managed to attract crowds without a word of paid advertising. But Cartwright said that may change.

“We knew we would have to have some sort of other ad campaign,” he said.