THE AUDIOVISUAL Archives Division of the National Archives in Washington, D. C., holds a uniquely comprehensive collection of documents. Unlike the Library of Congress or local historical societies, the National Archives must accept and preserve the records of all government agencies, including both written and audiovisual records. Unlike the Eastman International Museum of Photography or the Museum of Modern Art, which collect only photographs and films, the National Archives houses an incredible variety of images. And unlike private collectors and many museums, the National Archives makes its collections accessible to the general public. These characteristics make the National Archives an important source for historians seeking audiovisual materials to use in the classroom. The Division currently contains 5 million still photographs, 79 million feet of motion picture film on 103,000 reels, 72,000 tape recordings, 1.8 million maps and charts, and 2400 videocassettes of the daily newscasts of CBS since April 1, 1974, and of NBC since June 12, 1976.1 I have worked in this division regularly for the last six years directing