The resources of thousands of books and pamphlets are housed in countless libraries throughout the United States; librarians codify, classify, and circulate these materials in ways that are often mysterious to library users. There are many ways to reduce this element of mystery: effective service at the reference desk; prominent signs and directions; printed materials to assist the user in finding what he wants as effortlessly as possible. It is to this last category that these guidelines are addressed: the preparation of printed materials to convey to the library user the scope, resources, and services of the library itself. Whether large or small, most libraries will have need of one basic publication, the library handbook, which details for the user the essential information about the library and its collections and services. Specifically these guidelines for preparing a library handbook contain: information to be included, order of presentation, style of writing, format and design, and a list of supplementary reading. (Author/NH)