Highlighting the issues that confront small libraries who are exploring automation options, this report focuses on microcomputer-based automation systems for circulation and an online patron access catalog (OPAC). The information provided outlines some of the questions that librarians must ask themselves or vendors before they select a specific automated circulation system or online catalog. Section 1 provides general background information on the issues and problems confronting small libraries in their quest for an acceptable automation system, lists some common automation questions that librarians often have, offers an outline of the planning process and its basic steps, and considers the role of retrospective conversion. Section 2 discusses issues associated with the automated system's ability to manage and maintain the cataloging database, provides information on automated circulation systems and online catalogs, lists possible features that may be needed in an automated system, identifies issues related to hardware and local area networks (LANs), and considers some of the issues that libraries confront when working with vendors of automated systems. Section 3 reviews the specific features and capabilities of seven automation systems: Columbia; Data Trek; Follett; Library Automation Products; Library Corporation; Media Flex; and Winnebago. The five appendixes included in Section Four contains information on the costs of automating; a brief requirements checklist; a list of vendors that have microcomputer-based automated systems; an explanation of how to extract MARC records for libraries participating in WISCAT; and an automation/computer glossary of terms. (MAB)