Librarians, despite the inherently conservative nature of their role in the preservation of knowledge, spend a considerable amount of time looking forward. Joseph Janes, chair of the University of Washington's Information School and longtime American Libraries columnist, has brought together a variety of thinkers to answer the question, “The library in 2020 will be _____.” Participants were selected by Janes from among his friends and “some people [he] admire[s] a great deal” (v). The year 2020 was selected as being “far enough out that some exciting things might well have happened, but not so far out as to have to resort to shiny-jump suit and hovercar predictions left over from 1965 about 2000” (v). The selections are organized into six sections along thematic lines. These sections include “Stuff,” “People,” “Community,” “Place,” “Leadership and Vision,” and Janes's own thoughts in a section titled “My Turn.” Most of the selections blur these boundaries, but their placement accurately reflects the main thrust of each essay.

The Annoyed Librarian opens the discussion with a dystopian image of a library world where collections are no longer available to lend. She foresees a future where e-book, video, and music licensing becomes so restrictive that distribution of these items is impossible. Kristin Fontichiaro follows by suggesting that “libraries can no longer count on describing themselves as the repositories for stuff” (7). She goes on to describe an even more vibrant future in 2020 in which libraries are “makerspaces” where community members come together to learn from each other and create. The final two essays in this section echo these themes as Elisabeth Jones describes the effect of large-scale book digitization projects on the library's role as book warehouse and the changing role of librarians within this regard. Clifford Lynch reminds readers of potential barriers to access that these changes might entail as libraries shift to greater licensed and fewer owned collections.

The second section deals with the most important resource in any library: people. Sarah Houghton suggests a future where libraries are staffed and managed by technologically sophisticated individuals whom she describes as “benign geek librarian overlords” (35). In his essay, Stephen Abram posits that “the library in 2020 will be everywhere” (41). He goes on to describe the changing roles of librarians as they spend more time delivering programs and providing individual assistance to patrons. He too emphasizes that the days of the library as book repository are at an end. Courtney Greene considers a wide range of possibilities, but comes back to what she considers “the enduring value of our work,” which lies in “serving and supporting our communities” (53) regardless of how things might change technologically. Like Abram, Marie Radford sees the library in 2020 as being accessible from anywhere via mobile apps of increasing sophistication, and like Houghton she sees a need for librarians to become technological leaders. James Rosenzweig closes the section by describing his vision of the library as “an information base camp” and librarians as “guides” (63).

The essayists discussing the library of 2020 within the context of community describe the library as “essential for the success of its community” (77), “the vibrant hub of its community” (99), “better than ever” (95), and even “your best friend” (71). This optimism by no means implies that the library of 2020 will remain unchanged from today. To retain their central role in the community, libraries of all types will not only have to become focused on community engagement and remain responsive to the needs of their patrons, but will need to serve as technological change agents.

In discussing the concept of library as place, the essayists feel that physical buildings will remain or grow in importance, but that library services will need to exist beyond these narrow confines. As patrons obtain mobile devices and more resources become accessible through them, libraries will need to provide services wherever and whenever patrons desire. Bill Ptacek describes the library in 2020 as being “a concept more than a place” (117). As discussed in the previous sections, the library will be less a storehouse of materials and more a location where the community gathers.

The final major section of the book discusses the leadership and vision that will be needed to transform the libraries of today into the libraries of 2020. Josie Barnes Parker emphasizes the importance of “fiscal oversight” and “realistic projections” (129) in building the kind of future that the other essayists envision. Mary Ann Mavrinac states that before progress can be made libraries must recognize the need to change, and must be proactive in moving the library forward. As a needed counterpoint, Daniel Chudnov describes a different, darker future where the race to reinvent libraries has left them as a poor second choice in their emerging role of digital content provider, while adversely affecting their capacity to provide traditional analog services. In the book's final essay, Janes reminds readers that libraries are “not [solely] playing a short-term game” (153). He suggests that libraries need to continue justifying to their communities that the services they provide are important, and that libraries are well equipped to provide them.

Most of the essays described above are positive and hopeful, though a few see more challenges and barriers ahead than opportunities. A couple even caution about making changes too quickly in response to technological advances, echoing in some ways Nicholson Baker's reflections on the rush to microfilm newspaper and other collections described in his book, Double Fold. Given that libraries are custodians of the world's cultural and intellectual heritage, and recognizing that decisions are sometimes irreversible, these cautions should be at the forefront for librarians. Nonetheless, the one thing that each of the essayists and Professor Janes agree on is that libraries are in a time of great change, and that librarians need to adapt quickly to continue meeting patron needs and professional responsibilities for the treasures they hold in trust.