With its $200 million price, which includes the library foundation's endowment, it will be the most expensive of the country's 12 presidential libraries.

Since the dinner, several prominent Democratic fund-raisers have expressed concern about the library foundation's financial health.

"It's hard to raise money when you have a grand jury subpoenaing documents from the library foundation."

"We may very well have to hold the fellow who is in charge of the library foundation in contempt of Congress."

The study club started up a fund for the library foundation, and through various fundraising efforts accrued $300 for the purchase of more books.

Other resources such as furniture and equipment had to be covered by the public-private partnership called The Library Foundation.

From that job he moved on to found the American Library Foundation with William Allen in 1937.

Moreover, contributions to political parties or to Mr. Clinton's library foundation are legal, and the president's pardon authority is unreviewable.

Back in Little Rock, meanwhile, the library foundation faces the pressure of reeling in actual checks from donors who have pledged close to $145 million.

"The interest has been fantastic," said Hugh Hewitt, director of the library foundation, as he gazed over the Spanish-style building.