This paper explores the challenges and opportunities facing libraries as they evolve into the electronic networked environment, and looks at options for libraries in the year 2000 and beyond. The internationally networked environment has fundamentally changed the way in which people acquire and use information resources and services. The paper investigates the need for new library missions; virtual libraries made possible by telecommunications technologies; the need for collaboration among schools, libraries and local government; opportunities for distance education; and equal access to information by all. Issues of ownership, obscenity, decency, and how local, state, and federal information policy will affect libraries all need to be addressed. Librarians have to determine the kinds of services libraries will provide--in a networked environment, doing the same things for the same people will not move libraries successfully into the year 2000. Libraries also need to assess what strategies will be necessary to obtain new resources to support library technology development, especially when faced with decreased federal funding. Librarians must keep open attitudes toward technology, as developing new skills, training, and staying current with changing technologies will be a priority. Many of libraries' traditional concerns, values, and goals--of equal access, literacy, and about people--will, and must, remain intact as libraries move toward the electronic networked environment. The key issue to address is the degree to which the library orchestrates and manages the use of information on the global information infrastructure as opposed to simply being one of the many providers. (SWC)