This paper reports the results of a circulation study in the government documents departments of a public library and an academic library. Based on a systematic random sample of the records of materials returned in 1981, the study had two purposes: to seek evidence to support the assumption that current documents circulate more than older ones; and to justify, and begin to lay the groundwork for a more far-reaching analysis of documents use. It was found that U.S. Government publications were the predominant type of publication circulated in 1981, hardcopy publications comprised 99% of the materials circulated in both institutions, circulation of documents published in 1981 was relatively low in comparison to 1979 and 1980 publications, and documents published within the last decade (1972-1981) accounted for more than 75% of 1981 circulation in both institutions. It is suggested that these findings may be useful in deciding what materials should be weeded in the institutions studied. (Author/THC)