Intended for use by administrators, program coordinators, reading specialists and consultants, and teachers, this booklet outlines the critical steps in preparing inservice programs in reading instruction. The first section of the booklet presents six guidelines for planning, conducting, and evaluating reading staff development activities: (1) obtain commitment from the school or district, (2) identify an individual to be responsible for organization and planning, (3) conduct needs assessment, (4) plan specific activities, (5) implement activities, and (6) evaluate activities. The three following sections provide specific, practical guidance to the staff developer in each of these areas. The remaining two sections examine participants' responsibilities and describe a sample staff development program, with forms to illustrate the needs assessment and evaluation procedures. Appendixes contain a selected bibliography and a checklist for successful staff development that follows the six guidelines. (FL)