Too many microcomputers have been purchased by librarians as a panacea to operational problems only to end up collecting dust in an office because the plan to automate was not carefully developed. This results in disappointment, project failure, and wasted money and time. The first step when considering automation is to determine your objectives. The important question any library manager should ask when considering automating is “Why automate?” Library management should understand the reasons for automating, what can be accomplished by automating, and what costs are involved.