This report examines the perceptions of rural Washington community leaders concerning community information needs and the role of communication technology. In-depth interviews were conducted with 34 leaders in 5 selected rural eastern Washington communities that had access to telecommunications education and information systems, and with 15 eastern Washington educators with expertise in rural development and telecommunications systems. Community leaders' core concern was community survival. Successful use of telecommunications in rural communities may depend on developing a "rural telecommunications network" (RURALNET) that meets the needs of users, providers, and the network itself. Factors critical to the success of RURALNET include: (1) respect for traditional community and family values; (2) capacity for local and institutional cooperation; (3) local participation in planning; (4) designation of a "natural gathering place" in the community; (5) human capacity building to allow rural citizens access to and planning of RURALNET; (6) collaboration among providers of telecommunications programs and services; and (7) coordination between providers and citizens. In general, there was a positive reception to expansion of telecommunications programs and services in rural areas and optimism that it can help solve some rural community problems. (SV)