The synchroton radiation source constructed at LNLS is composed of a 1.37 GeV electron storage ring and a 120 MeV LINAC injector. Seven beamlines are in the final phase of commissioning and will be opened to external users during the second semester of 1997. These beamlines allow for experiments of VUV and X-ray spectroscopies and X-ray diffraction and scattering. A number of experimental results were already obtained using the beamlines which are currently in operation. X-ray absorption spectroscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering results, associated with a metal (pure Ni) and a biological sample (collagen), respectively, are described. The perspectives and user access policy for the utilization of the LNLS synchrotron radiation source are reported.