The Jefferson Davis Presidential Library Has “Books and Books and Books”

This is a short tour of the Jefferson Davis Presidential Library and Museum by one of their librarians. In it she explains the various resources that are at the disposal of researchers and others interested in Davis and the Confederacy. And that’s not all.

After watching this video I think we can all breathe easier that the bulk of the papers of Jefferson Davis are located at Rice University.

[Uploaded to YouTube on July 10, 207]

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17 comments… add one
  • Eric A. Jacobson Jul 12, 2017 @ 17:51

    I’ve had a long day. Why do you insist on posting things that make my day seem longer?? 🙂

    • Kevin Levin Jul 13, 2017 @ 2:38

      Hang in there, Eric. 🙂

  • Decklap Jul 12, 2017 @ 3:55

    Actually I’m wrong…. 2:44

  • Decklap Jul 12, 2017 @ 3:50

    She didn’t call it a liberry…. So that’s a plus

  • Shoshana Bee Jul 11, 2017 @ 19:50

    I was surprised to see the handling of the musket without gloves. Whenever the rangers have Winter Lectures that include artifacts, they always wear gloves. I thought that this was standard procedure.

    • Andy Hall Jul 12, 2017 @ 9:56

      It is, for anyone with professional archival or curatorial training.

  • Forester Jul 11, 2017 @ 19:20

    This is just her private YouTube vlog, probably shot with her phone. She describes herself as “singer songwriter, producer, engineer, photographer, sales and marketing.”

    This is not an official release from the library, nor does she appear to be a professional scholar. Let’s not pick on her. She seems nice.

    • Kevin Levin Jul 12, 2017 @ 1:49

      I don’t think anyone is under the impression that this is an “official release” or that she is a “professional scholar.” She does, however “seem nice.”

  • Paultourguide Jul 11, 2017 @ 12:00

    i cannot believe that this person is a paid professional. She does indeed seem to be as MSB suggested a volunteer docent. I have run into a few volunteers who share this persons enthusiasm and lack of knowledge in other museums where I have worked.

    • Kevin Levin Jul 11, 2017 @ 12:19

      I agree and I do appreciate her enthusiasm.

  • Boyd Harris Jul 11, 2017 @ 9:56

    Basically the library holds the same materials in the genealogy section of my rural home library.

    • Andy Hall Jul 13, 2017 @ 5:52

      TBF, I think Beauvoir essentially had to start from zero after Katrina. Much of what they may have had before 2005 was lost forever, so their research resources available now are whatever could be cobbled together from other sources. Just based on that, I would not really expect them to have much (or any) really unique, archival material.

  • Robert Hawkins Jul 11, 2017 @ 8:45

    I’m curious, do you always judge people in this condescending way? You think someone hired for library skills necessarily has exemplary public relations skills, or is the amateur nature of the walk-through video that tickles you? Or that a site commemorating Davis (as the deed from his widow required) exists at all?

    • Kevin Levin Jul 11, 2017 @ 8:49

      I am assuming that this woman is a librarian. If so, her description of what the library has to offer is unimpressive at best. You obviously have a different opinion.

    • MSB Jul 11, 2017 @ 11:00

      I know a large number of librarians, and they are some of the savviest professionals that can be found. The person in the video comes off as a well meaning amateur/volunteer, and a poor promoter of the site.
      No idea from where you brought your last question.

  • bob carey Jul 11, 2017 @ 8:33

    Did she really say, that he died a couple of days before his funeral? That’s funny!!!

    • Kevin Levin Jul 11, 2017 @ 8:36

      Wanted to make sure there was no confusion. 🙂

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