April 30, 2006
The year is 2026. the gentle sounds of rustling leaves and flowing water invite me into the terraced park surrounding the library. The path is paved with a durable organic light emitting diode (LED) coating that lights the way to the library. Stepped semicircular patios extend out the back of the wedge shaped building. Photovoltaic roof panels power the library and produce hydrogen for the fuel cells at night. Rainwater stored in holding tanks flushes the toilets and waters the plants in the park. A geothermal system buried beneath the foundation takes care of heating and cooling.
Upon entering the circular lobby, on the second floor, I see a manta ray swim through the air above. Looking up, holographic sea life fills the air. The digital ceiling of the lobby runs a program simulating the ripple of waves. A fortnight ago, the lobby had a stunning illusion of the earth as seen from low earth orbit through a glass dome. A yearly contest selects 26 artists who display their work in the lobby. Leaving the fish behind, I find myself on a balcony looking down upon the concentric circles of bookshelves filling the first floor. The librarians’ desks are centered within the shelves. Lounges are found in the corners with computer terminals between them along the walls. The balcony runs the perimeter of the second floor with computer terminals located every few feet. Access to the second floor patio is through the coffee bar and cyber café on my right. Above me on the third floor are rooms for classes and special events. Luminescent wall panels and LED arrays provide interior lighting.
Taking the escalator down to the first floor, I enter the circular array of shelves. The shelves hold printed optical, and flash memory media not yet released into the public domain. I pull out my wireless enabled palm computer and bring up the catalog interface I downloaded earlier from one of the library’s servers. Electronic copies of publications released into the public domain can also be downloaded from the servers. I run a search for the archived media I seek. Software on the library servers uses sensors in the shelves to determine my location and the location of what I seek; then directs me on the shortest route to them. After finding all the media I want to check out, I return upstairs to the lobby. I go to an empty checkout station near the exit. I set my hand on the scanner to verify my identity and check out by setting the media in an available bag. Sensors in the station read and record the tags on the media I am checking out. With a flash of “Thank You”, the check out dismisses me. I take one last look at the fishes as a warm breeze from outside washes over me.