DURING 1977, THE NUMBER, VARIETY, AND IMPACT OF NCSC RESEARCH AND DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES CONTINUED TO INCREASE. SPECIFIC PROJECTS RANGED FROM A STUDY OF RURAL COURTS TO AN ANALYSIS OF CAUSES IN COURT DELAY IN MAJOR METROPOLITAN AREAS, AND FROM AN INDEPTH REVIEW OF SMALL CLAIMS COURTS NATIONWIDE TO IMPROVING APPELLATE COURT OPERATIONS. A NUMBER OF PROJECTS AND MONOGRAPHS FOCUSED ON COURT MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION IN SUCH AREAS AS INTERNAL PLANNING CAPABILITIES IN STATE COURT SYSTEMS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF COURT INFORMATION SYSTEMS. NCSC HAS AIDED IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF UP-TO-DATE STANDARDS OF COURT ORGANIZATION AND THE IMPROVEMENT OF COURT OPERATIONS THROUGH APPLIED TECHNOLOGY. A WIDE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES HAVE INVOLVED DIRECT ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUAL COURTS AND STATES. SUMMARIES OF STUDIES AND PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN BY NCSC REGIONAL OFFICES ARE PRESENTED. THE NCSC IN-HOUSE LIBRARY AND THE RESEARCH AND INFORMATION SERVICE SERVE AS A CLEARINGHOUSE AND INFORMATION RESOURCE FOR ORGANIZATION STAFFS AND THE ENTIRE COURT COMMUNITY. THE NCSC PUBLICATION PROGRAM AIDS IN THE PREPARATION AND PUBLICIZATION OF RESEARCH REPORTS AND MANUSCRIPTS, AND ALSO PUBLISHES A QUARTERLY JOURNAL. A FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1977 IS PRESENTED TOGETHER WITH COMPARATIVE DATA FOR 1976. A LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS AND A LISTING OF MEMBERS OF THE THREE NCSC GOVERNING AND ADVISORY BODIES ARE PROVIDED. ADDRESSES OF REGIONAL OFFICES AND HEADQUARTERS AND AN INTERVIEW WITH THE DIRECTOR ARE INCLUDED. (JAP)