The aims of automation efforts in libraries are the rationalization of interval work and improvement of user services. After a period of exclusive internal computer utilization, later voluntary contact with the computer (e.g., circulation control with self services), patrons of American libraries now have to go to a computer terminal if they want certain information. Online public access catalogs(OPAC) have been used in American libraries since the end of the seventies. But OP AC are accepted by patron only if they have a useful and flexible user interface. This paper briefly describes the use of online catalogs in different type of libraries, categories of user (user, non-user), aspect of catalog use in context with computer experience etc. The disscussion then focuses on the characteristics of the final report of online catalog use study of Council on Library Resources and user problems in searching, as reported in many other catalog use studies.