“Outlook 2004: Issues in the Information Marketplace.” Whether or not you agree with the accuracy or intent of this statement, it provides an inspirational challenge to academic librarians as well as a call for a new vision. If the future is one in which there is no library —or at least the library that exists as our traditional communal paradigm of what an academic library is supposed to be—then this is the perfect time for our profession to transform the academic library and the role of the academic librarian. The marginalization of the academic library While it may be sublimely absurd to some of our colleagues to even validate the Outsell quote, the rationale that it needs thoughtful consideration is based on observations on the marginalization of the academic library. Consider the following: Ubiquitous courseware systems allow faculty to create information silos that serve as gateways to all courserelated information, including research sources that may or may not include the campus library. Textbook publishers are moving to incorporate traditional library database content into Web sites that are companion tools for students as they use the text.