This booklet, one of a series of background papers for the White House Conference, explores the potential of new technologies to improve library services while reducing library costs. Separate subsections describe the application of technology to the following library functions: acquisitions, catalogs and cataloging, serials control, circulation control, information retrieval services, interlibrary loan, security, and management and adminstration. Library automation, including computers, microforms, and online processing and retrieval techniques, networking facilities, reprography, electronic security systems, word processing equipment and improved audiovisual equipment, are all technologies presently available as an aid to the performance of library chores and the provision of library services. By providing new forms of materials that validly belong in the library, technology serves to transform the libraries themselves. Each of these very different roles being played by technology is discussed in the subsections. Only currently available technology and its application to libraries is treated; technology expected to become available in the future and applications where technical feasibility has not yet been demonstrated are either excluded from the discussion or identified as such. (Author/RAA)