Reasons for the scarcity of good library buildings are considered and methods are suggested to help library planners design better facilities in the future. (NH)

Libraries today operate on the assumption that they are a necessary and viable social institution with a long life expectancy. However, labor productivity, automation levels, and costs are not in line with todays economic requirements. Competing information services may replace libraries by the turn of the century. (DH)

The utility of the argument put forth in this paper relates to the planning for future information systems. Librarians must determine what sorts of epistomological or classification systems they can expect in the future and how they can be organized and serviced so they will interface with the past. (Author/NH)