Without the right human skills, no matter how advanced the technological tools, library automation will yield disappointing results. I have seen it happen many times. Alternatively, library automation systems may be extended to myriad applications, including a tool to support very sophisticated knowledge management projects, with the right people implementing and establishing goals and procedures. This can be accomplished even with severe limitations in the software or hardware resources. Some remarkable results have been accomplished with very primitive software, all because of the skills of knowledgeable, confident, and practical professionals.
Confidence comes from having the right mix of skill, know-how, and expertise.
A confident professional is open and sharing and seeks cooperation and coordination. The latter are largely personal skills that depend on personality traits. Lately, I have noticed a particular irony when it comes to librarians and automation. Librarians are often frustrated with the failure of potential users to seek them and their resources out. On the other hand, they are loath to promote and evangelize their services and resources.