In this article, the author argues the need for transparency with regard to the automation systems used in libraries. As librarians make decisions regarding automation software and services, they should have convenient access to information about the organizations it will potentially acquire technology from and about the collective experiences of other librarians. The author suggests the use of lib-web-cats as a tool in bringing more transparency to the realm of library automation. It offers accessible ILS information, that can be use to view specific sectors of the library automation arena and follow migration trends for the libraries represented in the database. The author believes that lib-web-cats systematically makes information available about automation systems used in libraries, it contributes to the transparency that is important to engender in the industry.