By the first decade of the twentieth century, libraries were collecting pictures, post cards, clippings, recordings, music rolls, and stereographs. Circulation of these materials was often restricted, however. A number of progressive librarians stressed the acceptance of nonprinted materials as complementary to the book medium to the library function. Films were not usually included in these early media collections. The American Library Association (ALA) recognized the importance of film quite early. Audiovisual librarianship was introduced to the ALA structure by 1924. A number of programs were sponsored by the association to attract interested librarians, but many of the ALA recommendations for expanded library utilization of the new medium were not implemented. By the 1940's, committed staff and funds were available to the ALA to conduct a number of studies of the use of film and to establish working committees within the organization. A 22-reference bibliography is appended to the history. (KB)