Even a small public library can demand tremendous personal and material investments. In communities struggling to find the means to support a library, an institution started and staffed by volunteers inspired by a love for books and learning can be an ideal solution. However, the intricacies of such an undertaking can seem overwhelming. This work provides practical, tested advice on planning, developing and maintaining the volunteer-based library. It includes worksheets, models, checklists and a variety of anecdotes and examples illustrating the suggestions in action.