The book 'Libraries 2040' focuses on the future of public libraries. Most future perspectives mainly look at things that are expected to happen. That's the future of extended trends and actual expectations. In this project, it's mainly about what we ourselves want in the future: a future where our ideals and dreams can also come into play.

The premise is that the book will continue to exist. Why? Simply because we want it that way. Just like you go for a walk, even when you could take the car, the bus, or the tram. As long as we keep walking, the book will live on. The book enriches society and will always be a part of our culture. That's why there will also be places in society where these books can reside. Places of collective inspiration, beautiful spots where it's nice to hang out and where we can encounter those books.

In the future, we'll recreate differently, read differently, and get informed in other ways. That’s why there’s a vision, formulated as a far-reaching, appealing alternative for the future. Everything is conceivable and doable. This vision gives libraries a future. In 2040, there won't be traditional public libraries anymore, and they will have been replaced by beautiful, new future libraries. What do they look like? The project 'Libraries 2040' seeks an answer to this by creating seven different future libraries.

Not to dictate how it should be, but to give space to fantasy and inspiration.