This guide provides information for developing a career center that would serve as the major resource for information about the world of work. These steps in initiating a career center are outlined: designing and conducting a needs assessment, choosing the location, developing advisory committee and principal support, and staffing. The next section discusses the center's acquisition policy as suggested by the needs assessment. Topics include sources for materials and determination of need for software, hardware, and computerized systems. Possible public relations activities are listed, and suggested uses by students and former students, teachers, parents, and the business community are proposed. A section on managing the collection addresses these concerns: filing systems; training programs, audiovisual materials and software; the catalog; check out; refiling; and re-ordering. A final section offers questions for evaluating the center's effectiveness. Appendixes include a list of seven references; instructional materials and their sources, including bibliographies of current materials, Government Printing Office publications, technical and trade schools, and college and university preparation; and a list of 94 associations providing career information in specific occupations. (YLB)