Individuals in 14 job categories at the Analytical Instrument Division of the Hewlett-Packard Corporation were observed and interviewed for six months to determine their reading practices at work and in leisure settings. The individuals ranged from a research chemist and a printed circuit designer, to a quality assurance inspector and a mechanical parts inspector. Findings indicated that reading in job tasks had some of the following qualities: (1) most reading is not from books, (2) rarely is the goal of reading to learn the gist of the material, (3) the anticipated benefits are seldom simplified to the level of information or entertainment, (4) reading activities rarely occur for long time periods, (5) self-awareness of reading is remarkably low, (6) improvement in reading is assumed to be necessary, and (7) reading is not one option for acquiring information. (The report includes case studies of each individual). (HOD)