The object of this statement by the Australian Advisory Council on Bibliographical Services is to inform the Commonwealth Government of the need for greatly increased financial support for libraries directly serving the public. It is not the intention to analyze the present position in full detail, but simply to adduce evidence that an examination is warranted into the inadequate financial provision now being made for these library services. In this paper the Council has attempted only to indicate in broad terms the nature and approximate scale of the grave deficiencies in public library services. The present situation is viewed with concern, and it is recommended that the Commonwealth Government give it early and serious examination. (Author/SJ)