Circulation systems instantly tell what items a patron has checked out. Time is saved when a student is leaving the school and you need to know what he or she has out. Automation allows staff to analyze collection usage patterns easily, leading to better collection development. More reports and statistics can be generated immediately by the computer. Bibliographies can be generated quickly which is a plus for PR with your teachers.
Inventory takes much less time when the library is automated.
Automate so some people do not have to silently sing the ABC song when looking through the card drawers. The librarians' job will seem more prestigious to administrators when computers are involved. Automate so one day you can share your resources with other library patrons via interlibrary loan. Huge percentages of the collections are unique in the library world. The collection will get better use.