A review of relevant available literature divides the functions of rural principals into six categories (instruction/curriculum leadership, personnel guidance, school/community relations, administrative responsibilities, evaluation, professional improvement) and provides suggestions on helpful material for each. Recent research on principals and efforts concentrating on rural schools are briefly described. The section on instructional/curriculum leadership cites four perspectives on the topic, discusses the status quo and solutions, lists helpful books, and describes material for rural programs for students with special needs (gifted/talented, bilingual/non-English speaking, migrant/racial minority students; early childhood education; special education). Under personnel guidance, staff consideration (development, inservice training) and student consideration (career materials, discipline) are covered. The school/community relations chapter considers political skills, problems and dilemmas, community ownership of schools, and rapid growth. An evaluation section describes literature on evaluating student progress and effectiveness of programs. Under administrative responsibilities (primarily coordination) general handbooks for principals and some works on topics of importance to rural principals (rapid growth, declining enrollments, time/resource management, service agencies) are evaluated. The professional improvement section covers organizations, journals, inservice education, and other materials of interest. A major conclusion is that material specifically intended for rural principals is very scarce. (MH)