An overview is provided of the development of national planning and the centralization of research libraries in four countries: Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Included in the review are cooperative projects and the actions of government and/or library commissions in each country. Planning at the local level and inter-Scandinavian efforts are excluded, as are standardization and other developmental work in library routines. In the chapter on Finland, a model is presented of the inquiry processes used in the planning objectives, and the participants in the decision making processes. Advantages and disadvantages are cited for planning as conducted by librarians and as carried out by outside experts. Suggestions are made for an optimal planning organization. (Author/SL)