The necessity of library and information research is pointed up by referring to some of important categories of research now in progress. Reasons are advanced for the necessity such research in Australia and ways suggested in which students wishing to make a career research and practitioners anxious for research opportunities may be accommodated. The part to be played by library schools and by research units in libraries are also mentioned. A role is seen for the Library Association of Australia in the promotion of research rather than its financing, and moves towards the creation of a central federal funding agency or agencies are suggested as timely. (Contains 8 footnotes.)