This study of the San Mateo Educational Resources Center (SMERC) was undertaken to characterize the use being made of this information service which provides database searches and other information services to educators in 19 California counties and parts of several other states. Requestor characteristics and subjects requested were determined from some 1,000 searches conducted by SMERC in April 1980. Then 48 clients receiving search packages from SMERC in September and October of 1980 were interviewed by telephone about the circumstances of their requests, the uses made of the results, and their satisfaction with the service. Based on an analysis of 1,000 requests, the average use of SMERC can be characterized as concerning the operation of schools in some way. The average request is researched using an ERIC computer search and other tools. The client receives a printout and a select set of microfiche and photocopies of relevant documents. SMERC clients interviewed were found to be happy with the service; all planned to use it again. The interviews uncovered occasional discrepancies between user needs and the request statements that SMERC received. Most clients preferred to receive just a few documents; they frequently neglected to read the microfiche portion of their package. Report appendices include a sample questionnaire, data tables, and related documents. (Author/ESR)