The history and philosophy of the free university, defined as an organization that offers noncredit classes to the general public in which "anyone can teach and anyone can learn," is explored. Offered is practical advice for starting a free university center or exchange and ensuring its success. Three contemporary versions of free universities are described in detail: The Denver Free University, representative of a large and independent agency; The Baltimore Free University, representative of one affiliated with a university (Johns Hopkins); and the Clay County Education Program in Clay Center, Kansas, representative of the small-town and rural model. Part I (Where We Are) discusses the present state of the free university with focus on attendees, faculty, costs, and course offerings. Part II (Where We've Been) explores the history of the free university with its beginnings in Berkeley in the 1960s, its progress in the 1970s, and the free university in the rural setting. Part III (How We Do It) gives advice on how to start a free university, keys to success, course management, and learning and teaching. Part IV (Where We're Headed) focuses on reaching new populations, new settings, lifelong learning, the future of the free university, and education for the community. It is concluded that there is a market for the free university in the future but emphasis must be put on: establishing more free universities in large metropolitan areas such as Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles; reaching out to the older adult; controlling the staff turnover problem; and establishing learning networks for comprehensive and complete treatment of a topic. Provided are notes on each chapter, resources for further investigation, an appendix with a national directory of free universities and learning networks, and an index. (Author/LC)