Based on ideas and suggestions shared at many workshops run by the Community Resource Centre Training Project, this guide presents information on and guidelines for developing a community resource center for use by persons who want to start a resource center but don't know how to go about it. Written in response to the desperate need for access to information and to educational resources for poor and disenfranchised communities in South Africa, the guide is presented as a first person account of the activities of members of a committee doing the research for and going through the development and planning process for a hypothetical community program committed to lifelong learning. Seven chapters focus on: (1) types of resource centers; (2) public and school libraries; (3) planning a resource center; (4) finding an office, collecting donation, and making the center a community event; (5) funding and financial matters; (6) employing staff, collecting and arranging resources; and (7) celebration of achievement. A glossary and a list of resource organizations by type of center and by geographical area/city are appended. (DB)