PURPOSE: To improve the operability of a tape leader, by providing a means which measures the interruption time of the excitation of a feed magnet and control means which interrupts a brake magnet also when the interruption time of the excitation costs more than a prescribed time.

CONSTITUTION: A tape leader is provided with a means, such as a counter which measures the interruption time of the excitation of a feed magnet 4, timer, etc., and a control means, such as a processing device 13 which interrupts the excitation of a brake magnet also, etc. Also it is arranged that, when reading of the punched information of a tape 1 is completed and the tape 1 is exchanged with another, the excitation of the feed magnet 4 and brake magnet 5 is interrupted. Therefore, exchange of the tape 1 can be made without requiring any operations of a manual switch, etc., and operability can be improved.