The disembodied librarian in the digital age

Four profound historical discontinuities-time and space, mind and body, rea l and virtual, and humans and technology--are reaching critical thresholds as we enter the twenty-first century. Existing within multiple environments (technological, social, and cultural), these discontinuities are seldom ac knowledged, but their influence on the future of our institutions is incalc ulable. An awareness of them will assist librarians in (1) creating a new v irtual space for libraries as physical space becomes less important, (2) ad apting to slates of disembodiment caused by roles deeply embedded in virtua l environments, and (3) developing the new value-added services necessary f or survival in this millennium. The discussion of these historical disconti nuities will continue in the March issue of C&RL, in which they are related to new ways of being and thinking about the future of librarians and libra ries.