A paper feed apparatus of the present invention includes a pick mechanism for successively taking out, by use of a pick roller 1, a plurality of sheets of paper stacked on a chute from the bottom side thereof, leading ends of the sheets being aligned by means of a stopper block 2 in a state in which the sheets are stacked on the chute. Moreover, the apparatus includes a roller guide 11 and an abutment guide 12. When the roller guide 11 is raised to a paper setting position in a direction away from the pick roller 1, the roller guide 11 raises the leading ends of the sheets stacked on the chute to thereby prevent contact between the sheets and the pick roller 1. The abutment guide 12 aligns the leading ends of the sheets when the roller guide 11 is raised. When a pick operation is started, prior to retraction of the roller guide 11, sheet pressing operation of a pick arm 4 and retraction of the abutment guide 12 are performed, and then the sheets are taken out through a clearance formed between the distal end of the stopper block 2 and the pick roller 1.