Passage of library bonds in November 1988 provided momentum to create a new library system for San Francisco. To be successful, this endeavor demanded that the entire library program be evaluated and reassessed, and renovations to the branch libraries had to be made on a systemwide basis. Funding from the library bonds could be used only for facility construction. However, the attention paid to the library program created new interest in the library program by philanthropic individuals and corporations, and a successful resource development program would result in significant enhancement of the library's resources. The first of two parts of this report, which focuses on the conversion of the San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) from a good library to a great library system, describes the planning process and recommends a program for change. It includes information on the strategic planning process, a role selection exercise, a vision of a great urban public library system in the 21st century, planning assumptions, the mission statement and roles of both the main library and branch libraries, strategic goals, and nine strategies for change. The second part provides background information, including a history of the SFPL, the SFPL today, major issues confronting the library system, and the city's demographics. A 12-item bibliography and 11 tables are also provided. (SD)