This report describes a study undertaken by the Library Advisory Committee (LAC) to identify the crucial issues and trends affecting public academic libraries and to provide a set of recommendations to the State Board for Higher Education in these areas. The report focuses on the changing role and nature of academic libraries in Maryland as they move from traditional functions and services to those more dependent upon computer technology. The impact of automation on the individual academic library is analyzed in terms of collection development and management, services to users and internal operations, personnel, facilities, and costs and benefits, and it is recommended that a task force be created to study and propose actions on a number of crucial issues. Discussion of six recommendations made by the LAC identifies the issues to be addressed by the proposed task force, but leaves to the task force the formulation of plans and actions regarding these issues. For each recommendation a description of the intent of the LAC in making that recommendation is included, as well as some of the costs associated with the recommendation, and some of the benefits expected to be derived from its implementation. A 25-item glossary of acronyms is attached. (CGD)