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Audiovisual Records

 
President Barack Obama and José Díaz-Balart participate in an immigration town hall hosted by Telemundo and MSNBC at Florida International University in Miami, FL, February 25, 2015. (P022515PS-0729)

The Barack Obama Presidential Library holds over 600 cubic feet of audiovisual recordings and the 3 million digital photographs created by the White House Photo Office. These holdings predominantly include materials from President Obama's time in the White House. We do not maintain pre-and post-presidential audiovisual records for President Obama. Please contact the Office of Barack and Michelle Obama for these records.

How can I request audiovisual records or see audiovisual records already available for public research?

Audiovisual materials at the Barack Obama Presidential Library are subject to the Presidential Records Act (PRA) and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requirements. Anyone may request access to Presidential records not yet available for public research by submitting a written FOIA request. Additional guidance and tips on submitting FOIA requests can be found here.

Photograph contact sheets are available as PDFs on some finding aids in the Digital Research Room. The Barack Obama Presidential Library staff creates them to showcase select photographs opened for research under FOIA or through systematic processing that have not yet been added to the National Archives Catalog. Photograph contact sheets are used to request high-resolution images of photographs according to the process of ordering reproductions of audiovisual materials. 

Order Photos or Videos

The following steps should be used to order high resolution images of photographs and other audiovisual materials.

  • Gather all available information about the image. If possible, find the filename which is the "P" number found in the caption or details. Example: (P051909LJ-0130)
  • Provide a specific description of the image, video, or audio clip, including date, location, topic, and if possible, the URL for each web page that contains the requested material.
  • Fees will apply. Payment may be made by credit card or check made out to "NATF."
  • Email the above information, plus your contact information to include, name, phone number, mailing address AND the format and delivery preference to obama.photos@nara.gov.
  • Orders may also be placed by postal mail, phone or fax. 

Email

        obama.photos@nara.gov (your name in the subject line)

Postal mail

        Barack Obama Presidential Library
        c/o Audiovisual Archives
        2500 W. Golf Road
        Hoffman Estates, IL 60169-1114         

Phone

        (847) 252-5731 

Fax

        (847) 252-5799 (include cover sheet)

Audiovisual Resources

There are many free, easily accessible, resources available for the public to access. The following sites can be used for research on historic photographs, including audio or video materials, in the public domain and available online. These materials do not require permission and/or licensing for use. However, when using these materials please credit "Courtesy Barack Obama Presidential Library."  

Chuck Kennedy photographed the First Lady as she takes a 'selfie' with Bo, the Obama family dog, for National Geographic. (P041113CK-0167)

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