This report discusses the characteristics, operations, and automation requirements of technical libraries providing services to organizations involved in aerospace and defense scientific and technical work, and describes the Local Automation Model project. This on-going project is designed to demonstrate the concept of a fully integrated library system for technical libraries, combining local library functions with capabilities for participation in a Department of Defense (DoD) bibliographic network. The environment and characteristics of bibliographic networks are described; the automated system capabilities required for network participation are considered; and microcomputers are discussed as cost-effective yet powerful tools for exploiting bibliographic network resources. A discussion of the Local Automation Model project highlights the project background and environment, system concept demonstration, and prototype testing of the minicomputer- and microcomputer-based versions. Future development plans include production system acquisition, expanded gateway access, a common command language, reduction of manual effort, full-text and optical disk technology, and indexing standardization and controlled vocabulary. A list of related journal articles and a list of library software, vendors, and reviews of library software conclude the document. (KM)