Intended for public libraries that have not yet sponsored programs for the adult community, this manual describes the steps in designing and staging programs designed to bring together local citizens, public policy makers, and scholars in the humanities to discuss issues of concern to their state or community. Sections are devoted to the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), planning your program, the planning group, building an audience, turning themes into programs, evaluation, proposal writing, staging the program, publicity and promotion, and the aftermath of the program. A brief bibliography and a list of six NEH state-based committee addresses and themes are included. (JD)