The uses being made of the OCLC system in the area of public or reader's services was investigated in this study. Topics dealt with include the training of librarians and patrons in on-line searching, specific benefits of the data base to the public, disadvantages of the present OCLC system in public services, costs, and the motivation behind installation of public service terminals. Data were obtained from structured interviews with reference librarians at seven Ohio academic libraries and the State Library of Ohio. Findings indicate that many librarians felt that before the system can be used effectively for public services, all the holdings in their collections should be converted into the data base; and although the means for accomplishing the goal of public use of OCLC terminals varied in the libraries visited, one important similarity was found in that the majority of librarians displayed an enthusiastic attitude when discussing public use of the system. It was also felt that a greater stress on publicity and general instruction would likely involve more public use of the system. Questions presented to participants in the study, sample instruction sheets provided by libraries at public service terminals, and a bibliography are appended to the study. (JPF)