This study was funded by the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) to enable the Illinois School Library Media Association (ISLMA) to plan the automation of the state's school libraries. The research was intended to identify current national programs of interest to ISLMA, identify current automation programs within Illinois library systems, and define automation options available to ISLMA. School librarians in 37 states were surveyed to reveal the extent of existing automation and resource sharing in their libraries; three states--New York, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin--described programs involving a majority of the school libraries in the state. It was discovered that several pre-existing programs in Illinois--ILLINET Online, various system databases, Chicago Schools Project Inform--offer a good foundation for expanding access to school holdings. In addition, data were gathered on the wide variety of vendor technologies and product costs. On the basis of this research recommendations were made to the ISLMA which include the continued promotion of resource sharing and SILO (Serials of Illinois Libraries Online), developing awareness of telecommunications technology, utilization of the research material and statistical data collected by the survey, development of statewide guidelines for school automation, and the continuation of more grant-funded proposals and projects. Appended materials include copies of the survey questionnaire and forms, an automation product vendor list, and retrospective conversion costs. The special report provides a summary of the survey and its findings. (52 references) (MAB)