臺灣地區圖書館事業發展在歷經光復、文化建設等推動下，從百廢待舉、以至成長茁壯。面對資訊技術快速的進步、臺灣社會人口結構的改變、產業經濟的轉型、民主政治體制的變革等因素，圖書館專業在未來將面對更多的挑戰與不確定性。新世紀的來臨，圖書館專業如何在臺灣社會快速變遷下，改善當前經營的困境，發揮應有的影響力及社會價值，是值得大家共同來省思與注意。針對臺灣社會未來發展的方向，圖書館應設加強與社區互動的關係；增加對產業的合作與資訊服務；同時透過有效途徑增加對立法機構、行政部門及政黨的影響力等。

After the World War II, Taiwan's libraries progressed through different stages, from reconstructing library service system in 1940s, growing steadily under the directing of government's National Cultural Infrastructure in 1970s and 1980s, and finally blooming in 1990s. However, the library development in the next century will be much more uncertain and challenging than before, by the influence of information technology, population structure changes, the industries transformation, and political revolution. This article discusses how to increase libraries' social influence and social values under the extremely changes of Taiwan society in the 21st century. It proposes that libraries should be to extend services to the communities, to intensify the cooperation and information services for Taiwan's industries, and to increase interactions to the Congress, political parties, and government departments.