This study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between certain childhood experiences and adult use of the public library and adult reading. Data were gathered via a nationally representative interview conducted by the Survey Research Center of the University of Michigan. The interview contained 25 questions relating to current reading habits, library use during the previous year, and childhood experiences related to reading and library use for the respondent and the respondent's parents. In addition, demographic data were obtained for the respondents. On the basis of usable responses obtained from 342 persons (95 percent of the persons interviewed), it was determined that heavy library users and readers were not unlike those characterized by earlier studies. A substantial number of childhood variables did prove to have statistical relationships with reading and library use. The results clearly indicated the importance of social learning and parents as primary agents in the development of readin...