It was suggested that the future of efficient hospital library services could only be assured if fuller knowledge were available of existing services and their cost. This survey of a limited area was undertaken to prepare the way for a conference of all interested bodies in the country. The terms of reference for the survey were: to ascertain the present coverage of library services to patients in the hospitals administered by the North West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board; to ascertain the comparative responsibilities of various agencies providing library services; to obtain reliable statistics of the actual and comparative costs of the services; to ascertain whether a more economic and efficient service to patients can be obtained; to make recommendations which may be applicable throughout the country.