The development and use of library statistics in the Soviet Union and systems of reporting are discussed in this speech by E.A. Fenelonov, Ministry of Culture of the Russian Soviet Federal Socialist Republic, and are compared with statistical development in the United States by Vernon E. Palmour of King Research, Inc. Fenelonov emphasizes the use of library statistics in evaluation, planning and forecasting of future activities. A history of statistical development begins with major attention toward measurement and evaluation of external manifestations of library developments and moves toward the forecasting approach to the problems of library business. Fenelonov stresses the centralization of library reporting and details the procedures used in the collection and processing of statistical data. The use of library statistics in management and coordination are described, and future collection and utilization methods are mentioned. An appendix lists the exponents of library statistics in different forms of library reports. Palmour briefly discusses similarities and differences in the use of library statistics in the United States and the USSR, and poses questions regarding national standards and reporting systems. (CWM)