The purpose of this paper is to suggest some steps that must be taken to convert network planning into reality, based upon experiences in New York State. The importance of study committees, both for making sound plans and involving library and state leadership at the earliest stage in the implementation process is emphasized. The first action step is to finance the network plan through the legislative or the appropriation route or both. The next step is to plan and activate regional or state networks through the participation of informed librarians and lay people at both regional and state levels. The paper concludes the network implementation process by describing briefly the types of regional and state networks in New York State, the means whereby different levels of government and different types of libraries are brought together to form the networks, and the programs offered by them. A summary of network trends in New York State concludes the first section. The remainder of the paper identifies some of the key problems confronting network planners at three different stages: financing of networks; planning their implementation; and organizing and operating them. Solutions to the problems are suggested. (Other papers from this conference are available as LI 003360 - 003381 and LI 003383 through LI 003390) (Author/NH)