Once a librarian has made the decision to conduct a study of the economic community, several interrelated questions must be addressed: What is meant by the term "economic community" and what is known about it? What will be the objectives of the survey? Which businesses, industries, and services should be included? Who will conduct the survey? How will the survey results be implemented? A survey of the economic community is, in effect, a market analysis. To insure success of the survey, goals must be established early, to set the appropriate lines of inquiry. A brief economic profile of the community, gathered from easily available sources, can be helpful in determining which of the various types of enterprises offer the best field for investigation, if time and money constraints preclude a total survey. If the library staff does not have sufficient expertise to plan and conduct such a survey, consultants are available from marketing research firms, local academic institutions and library associations. Survey results will not be useful unless they generate recommendations, preferably in the form of a program proposal, which can be subjected to review and eventual implementation of improved library services. (Author/SL)