The mini-center concept described in the guide is an attempt to consolidate adult education services into a more effective instructional program by extending adult class meetings to four straight nights a week at a centrally located facility especially designed for adult education purposes. The guide discusses advantages and disadvantages of mini-centered instructional programs in adult education; presents suggestions for establishing a mini-center program, with separate discussions of facilities, personnel, materials of instruction, program operation, in-service and pre-service training programs, and evaluation; and offers a cost analysis. One-half of the document is composed of appendixes which include: price lists for mathematics and language arts materials, testing materials, and software reading materials; an employee evaluation form; and three cost schedules (mini-center costs without reading lab, mini-center costs with reading lab, and full-time coordinator costs). (JR)