This handbook records the joint planning process for development of a family literacy program suited to each of six Massachusetts communities. Part 1 discusses the national background to collaborative projects, national educational goals and concept of family and intergenerational literacy programs, justification for family literacy, libraries' role in family literacy, and sources for funding and technical assistance. Part 2 focuses on the Community Collaborations for Family Literacy Project. It discusses background and need in Massachusetts, the state context, project design, project methodology, technical assistance and events, project evaluation, data gathering methods, impact, and evaluation results. Part 3 reports lessons learned: reasons for community participation, characteristics of successful collaboration, elements of successful collaboration, key elements of collaboration in support of family literacy, and barriers to collaboration. Part 4 provides steps for local communities to consider in the development of a collaborative project: guidelines for effective community collaborations, 3 steps for Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, 11 steps for state policy makers, and steps to teach collaboration skills. Appendixes include the following: 40-item annotated family literacy resource collection for parents and teachers, 44 resources for family literacy and community collaboration program development, 8 audio/video resources, and project instruments and agendas. (YLB)