Research

Jimmy Carter Library Audiovisual Collections

The Carter Library has extensive audiovisual holdings in many formats. The audiovisual reference staff will help you find, use, and purchase copies of available items. They can be reached by email (preferred) or call 404-865-7100.

Much of the audiovisual materials, including all White House-produced photographs, motion picture films, and audiotapes, are in the public domain. Other material, such as donated items and White House Communications Agency news videotapes, are subject to copyright law.

The Carter Library makes copyrighted material and reproductions available solely for private study, scholarship, or research. Audiovisual researchers must obtain permission from the copyright holder to publish or display materials, or deposit them in other institutions. It is the researcher’s responsibility to determine copyright status. The library will provide what information it can, upon request.

Descriptions of White House Collections

White House Staff Photographers, 1977-81 (ca. 600,000 photos)

This collection consists of 600,000 color and black-and-white negatives of Jimmy Carter while he was President. Arranged chronologically, the collection documents the day-to-day activities of President and Mrs. Carter. The collection also includes shots of the President’s family, White House aides, cabinet members and meetings, President Carter’s trips, and visits by foreign leaders. Contact sheets of the negatives are available in the Research Room. Researchers may use the Presidential Daily Diary Name Index to determine dates of meetings with the President. The photographs are in the public domain. To search the photographic collection, click the link to the National Archives Online Public Access (OPA). The hit results will be descriptions for an entire contact sheet, although there are a number of digital images for individual frames as well as contact sheets available for viewing. OPA

White House Communications Agency Videotapes (WHCA), 1977-81

This collection consists of 1,550 three-quarter inch videotapes of President Carter’s televised speeches and press conferences, network programs featuring President or Mrs.. Carter or senior staff aides, and daily news reports from the major television networks. The collection also includes a few Presidential speech rehearsals, White House briefings, and Senate hearings. The collection is arranged chronologically and is listed accordingly. Please contact the Library to determine best method of access, dependent on your research needs. Please be advised that approximately half of the videotape collection has copyright restrictions. Permission for use of copyrighted material is the responsibility of the researcher. WHCA Video Log

White House Communications Agency Audiotapes, 1977-1981

Approximately 3,700 one-quarter-inch reel-to-reel audiotapes include impromptu remarks, speeches, press conferences, press briefings, and other public statements by the President, Mrs. Carter, Vice President Mondale, senior staff aides, and Carter family members. The tapes are arranged by speaker and then chronologically. Finding aids are available for the President, First Lady, and staff series. Facilities are available at the Library to listen to the tapes, and copies may be purchased. A high percentage of the tapes are in the public domain. WHCA Presidential Audio Log | WHCA First Lady Audio Log

Navy film crews produced 1,100,000 feet of 16mm color motion picture film documenting approximately 1,000 Presidential events and appearances. The collection is arranged chronologically. The NPC Film Log film inventory and descriptive shot cards for each reel of film are available at the Library. Please contact the Library to determine best method of access, dependent on your research needs. The entire film collection is in the public domain.

Descriptions of Other Collections

Roddey Mims Collection, 1976-82

Roddey E. Mims was a Washington photographer from 1962 until his death in 1982. The Mims Collection (NAID 1103) at the Carter Library covers the period January 5, 1976 to September 28, 1982. Mims covered the Washington political scene for the most part, but also traveled with the Presidents and other politicians. He covered John Connally’s 1976 Presidential campaign, Capitol Hill, and the White House during the Carter and Reagan administrations. The finding aid is available here.

Gerald Rafshoon AV Materials

Unprocessed; processing ongoing. Part of the Gerald Rafshoon Papers (NAID 1095.) Inquire with Library regarding current status.

Robert K. Stiles AV Materials

Unprocessed; processing ongoing. Part of the Robert K. Stiles Papers (NAID 12015388.) Inquire with Library regarding current status.

Max Cleland AV Materials

Part of the Max Cleland Papers (NAID 587335.) Inquire with Library regarding current status.


As additional AV materials are processed and made available, descriptions will be added here, the catalog, and with our finding aids.

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