The formal beginning of Aural History as a division of the Provincial Archives is an important development for British Columbia history. The advent of the tape recorder and the subsequent growth of aural history has fostered an increasing awareness of our history. Through Aural History the needs of the people involved in creating historical tapes are served and the long-term preservation of the tapes produced is assured. Voices of the past are now available for present and future generations. The value of producing aural history to complement written history is well recognized. Although time is fast fleeting it is still possible to capture the earlier history as well as the present history of British Columbia. Within the Province a number of private industries and major institutions have initiated aural history programmes in conjunction with Aural History. In the near future Aural History plans to begin research on elected officials and long term public servants of present and former Governments. Similar aural history work is also being carried out with individuals selected for historical importance and contributions to the Province. The strength of aural history is that it lends itself to documenting the worker and the community leader. By employing aural history it is hoped to provide a more representative history of British Columbia and her people. Personally, I am pleased to have had the opportunity to establish Aural History as a division of the Provincial Archives within the Department of the Provincial Secretary. —Honourable Ernest Hall, Provincial Secretary