Case studies of six public libraries that have adopted the concept of long range, community-based planning were conducted to explore what actually happens in natural settings as public libraries implement long range planning, and to document the differences that exist among these settings in process, goals, implementation, participant perceptions, and outcomes. Located in 4 midwestern states, each of these libraries has fewer than 25 full time equivalent employees and serves populations of between 10,000 and 50,000 persons. Interviews with library directors, staff members, trustees, and community representatives who had served on planning committees were used to collect qualitative data, which were supplemented by statistical and other information provided by the libraries themselves, local Chambers of Commerce, and the American Library Directory. Based on these data, a series of 18 tentative hypotheses were generated to suggest probable relationships among emergent factors. In addition to an overview of the study and the methodology employed, this report discusses the findings in terms of awareness of Public Library Association manuals, the origin of the library's decision, the planning committee, elements of the process, participant evaluations, planning outcomes, and emergent factors. The concluding chapter presents 25 hypotheses in clusters of 6 broad categories and discusses some of the areas in which further research is needed. A selected 102-item bibliography on public library planning and two appendixes containing the interview guidelines and profiles of the six libraries are included. (6 tables, 3 references) (MAB)