This report has two main purposes: (1) To give an account of the use of automation in selected libraries throughout the country and in the development of networks; and (2) To discuss some of the fundamental considerations relevant to automation and the implications for library education, library research and the library profession. The first part of the report traces the development of automation in libraries and discusses in detail the work going on in more than twenty selected libraries. In addition, briefer accounts are given for a number of other libraries and cooperative projects. The second part is concerned with factors that must be taken into account in planning and developing automated systems and networks and the implications of automation for library education, library research, and the library profession. (Author)