This paper evaluates major library automated systems in the Republic of China, explores their strengths and weaknesses, and provides suggestions for further consideration. Nine representative systems were selected for this purpose: the National Central Library Automated Information Service, Science and Technology Information Center of the National Science Council, Agricultural Science Information Center, Legislative Information System, the Academia Sinica databases, National Defense Medical College, Tamkang University, National Taiwan Institute of Technology, and Chung Koh Library Products Company CAS system. The strengths and weaknesses are evaluated on the bases of their ease of use, speed of searching, and precision of results. In general, the library automated systems have been remarkably designed and well implemented. However, the lack of standardization in coding, data input, and machine readable record formats are major problems and constitute a barrier to implementing an effective networking system. It is expected that further progress will come with the standardization of Chinese coding and the simplification of Chinese input. (25 references) (Author/MAB)