A review of the future of academic libraries that draws initially on a generic model to describe the components of all library systems. Touches upon some economic changes and looks for evidence in statistical trends derived from United Kingdom reportage. From this extrapolates scenarios relating to the function of libraries as a collection of resources, as a physical place, its role in organising information and its service function. Library collections will continue to exist but described in different ways, whilst physical collections will mutate into multi‐functional spaces. Knowledge management will become increasingly important and the overriding shift will be towards a service and support role. The librarian‘s role is also discussed and changes summarised.