This handbook was designed to help Wisconsin Public Library trustees organize their thoughts, deliberations, and actions. The book is divided into three main sections: (1) Effective Public Library Trustees and Boards; (2) Planning for Effective Action by the Public Library Board; and (3) Appendixes. The purpose of the first section is to place in civic and legal context the roles and responsibilities of the public library trustee and the public library board of trustees. The second section provides guidance to public library boards of trustees in fulfilling their responsibilities as effective planners and policy-makers for their institutions. Discussion includes finances and allocation of resources, personnel, policies and services, and buildings. The Appendix contains the following documents and information: Chapter 43 and Theft of Library Material Law; Open Meetings of Governmental Bodies and Open Records of Public Documents; Sample Bylaws; Sample Public Relations Policy; Intellectual Freedom, Library Bill of Rights, and Freedom to Read Statement; Sample Citizen Statement of Concern; The Division for Libraries and Community Learning; Sources of Additional Information; Recommended Reading and Viewing; and Glossary of Library Terms and Acronyms. An index is also provided. (AEF)