Abstract: A pad for covering a work surface comprising a thin transparent cover over a base layer. A portions of the cover is secured to the base layer so that the balance of the cover is liftable upwardly therefrom to receive and retain between the cover and the base layer sheet materials bearing visual information of utility to a user. The information is then visible to the user through the transparent cover. Alternatively, the cover may be attached to the base layer so as to produce therebetween a pouch opening at an edge of the pad to receive such sheet materials. The top surface of the cover can optionally be textured to provide a substitute work surface upon which to write or operate a computer mouse. The bottom surface of the base pad is textured to prevent slipping of the device on the work surface.