This guide was designed with three purposes in mind: (1) to build a greater awareness among trustees of library organization in the state and of the support and services available to them through that organization; (2) to stimulate greater interest in and knowledge of the many duties and responsibilities of library trustees; and (3) to encourage closer cooperation with the public library system of which they are members. The following topics are covered: libraries in New York state, selection of trustees, trustees' responsibilities, library board organization, library policies, public relations, library laws, budgets and finance, trustees' relations with librarian and staff, planning and evaluation, library construction, and continuing education. Appendices include a checklist for trustees; a glossary of selected terms, acronyms, and abbreviations; a diagram of library development; and the Library Bill of Rights. (FM)