A survey of the status of the federal library community and its involvement with automation was undertaken; the results are summarized in this report. The study sought to define which library operations were susceptible to automation, to describe potentially useful automation techniques and to establish criteria for decisions about automation. Questionnaires were sent to 2104 federal libraries, of which 1012 responded. Major results included the findings that most federal libraries were of small or medium size, but had varied collections and offered many services. The library community favored automation, but recognized that better communication, increased manpower, and strong central support would be needed. A stronger role for the Federal Library Committee (FLC) was indicated and centralized automated networks and standardized program packages for use in federal libraries were seen as desirable. As a consequence of these findings the research team recommended to the FLC the following objectives: 1) the development of generalized system components; 2) the selective development of centralized service; 3) the extension of service to the forgotten public served by federal libraries; 4) the development of standards; and 5) the provision of effective communication mechanisms. (PB)