Rebekah Davis

Limestone County’s archivist is now at the helm of a national organization boasting nearly 1,000 members.

Rebekah Davis, who began working for the archives in 2011, was named board president of the National Association of Government Archives & Records Administrators, or NAGARA. She took the helm at the group’s annual meeting in Washington last month.

Davis had previously served as vice president and president-elect of the organization. When her one-year term is up, she’ll serve in the role of past president.

She became aware of NAGARA shortly after she began working at the archives and attended her first meeting in Nashville. There were just 300 members of the organization at the time.

“It’s tripled in size and has members all over the country,” Davis said.

Despite the long name, she said it’s an organization that would be valuable to anyone who works with archives or public records. Those people may be city clerks, records managers for public universities or those who handle public records for state or federal organizations.

When asked how her leadership role would benefit the Limestone County Archives, Davis said her affiliation with the group has already paid dividends. For example, the recent renovation of the archives building on Washington Street was completed with help from a grant. Davis explained she would not have known about that opportunity had she not learned about it from her NAGARA connections.

Davis said the added exposure for the local archives won’t hurt, either.

“People around the country are seeing what we’re doing in Limestone County and with our historic records,” she said. “This puts me in a better position to be a part of resources that will help us better serve the community and help us do our job better.”

If there’s a drawback to Davis’ additional responsibility, it’s that she’ll have to tap the brakes on some ongoing projects. To that end, she would gladly welcome any volunteers who want to help.

“Whether it’s scanning photos or entering obituaries, we’d love to have volunteers who want to be part of what we’re doing here,” she said.

About Davis

Since coming to the archives, Davis has implemented records processing, digitization and online sharing programs. She has also worked to provide historic records to local history publications, history and genealogy presentations, special exhibits and events, and establish local history monuments.

Davis has served as vice president and president of the Society of Alabama Archivists and as board member of the Athens-Limestone Community Association. She is a former reporter and editor for The News Courier and The Cullman Times.

Davis earned her bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of North Alabama.

To contact the archives, call 256-233-6404 or email Davis at rebekah.davis@limestonecounty-al.gov.