The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not the reference interview is essential in the provision of public library reference service. A survey questionnaire was mailed to 125 small and medium sized public libraries throughout Ohio. The survey was administered in the spring of 1994 with a response rate of 56%. Respondents were asked questions regarding their education and training for the reference interview. While most of the respondents agreed that their reference courses included interviewing skills, an overwhelming majority agreed that they had learned to interview patrons on the job. The results of this study indicate that the reference interview is essential in the provision of public library reference service. While library schools emphasize the titles of specific reference sources, respondents agreed that it is more important for practicing reference librarians to know types of reference sources, as well as search strategies and methods, than it is to know specific reference titles. Library schools may want to consider these results in regard to curriculum design. Sixteen tables of data and a copy of the questionnaire are appended. (Contains 7 references.) (Author/BBM)