This study of the public libraries in one county in central Iowa examines the workings of the Earlham, Truro, and Winterset libraries, and explores the elements in their respective communities which affect current library services and which have potential implications for future library planning. In addition to detailed profiles of the three libraries, this report includes analyses of the communities of Madison County and their library users. Census data are provided, as well as a comparison of Madison County to the 1978 Gallup Survey. A review of project goals, a selective bibliography, and maps of the area are appended to the study. (FM)