Traditional library tasks, for example database searching, are increasingly performed by library users, forcing both the librarian and the user to assume at times dichotomous roles of teacher and student. Modern librarians install new software and guide organizations in multimedia applications. Librarians need to be cognizant of the human factor, and how library users adapt to their changing role as information providers. This paper describes the automation experience of a medical library in France. The library implemented Windows NT as the library server, running applications such as KR ScienceBase and OPAC (Online Public Access Catalog), and automated interlibrary loan, book ordering, and serials. This paper describes the automation process at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), it looks at the effect of automation on end-users in terms of applying new retrieval methods, sources and dissemination techniques, and improving efficiency and cost effectiveness. Automation increased the prestige of the library in the eyes of library users. The library was seen to be better organized, more reliable, and technically knowledgeable. The degree of success in automating library systems depends on how much the scientist needs the system, and the organizational structure and management style of the library administrators and faculty. User adaptation depended on previous exposure, need to use the system, ease in using the system, direct incentives, and historical management tenets. (Contains 14 references.) (Author/SWC)