The provision of reading materials through a simple rural library service in Rhodesia was considered to be useful in helping to create a literate environment. The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether or not a rural library did, in fact, accomplish this end. The secondary purpose was to determine the profile characteristics of library users and to make recommendations for improving such a service. Data were collected by interviewing library users and by recording information on books borrowed by users. It was concluded that interest in reading will gradually build up in the community as a result of the library scheme. Recommendations were that: library boxes at small rural centers are a useful adjunct; library facilities should be limited to those rural centers where there is an active, local, developmental organization; a special effort should be made to interest rural school-leavers in joining local libraries; simple library management can be easily taught; reading lists should be constantly updated; and a study of the difficulty of reading material in the vernacular should be done. (KP)