This manual is provided to help Wisconsin counties that participate in state-funded public library systems fulfill their statutory obligations to provide library service to their residents. It suggests a range of alternatives, provides a broad outline of planning considerations, and describes service environments and possible responses to those settings. Topics include: the benefits of planning and statutory responsibilities; initiating the planning process; assessing countywide library service needs; translating the data into a plan; and getting the plan adopted. Four appendices offer instructions on surveying for nonresident borrowing patterns, a list of county planning organizations and resources, 1993 county level service data, and a library resource inventory form. (DGM/BEW)