The 21ST Century and the dream of an universal library: almost six thousands years of evolution in the production, recording and socializiation of knowledge.

Abstract

Considerations on library development, from the mineral to the virtual stage. Especulates on how the informational environment of the 21st century will look like, with its virtual corporations and their products, services and libraries without walls. Lists some important aplications of virtual reality on several fields of knowledge, especially in education and in today's global and computerized economy. Deals with the still unclear concepts of virtual, digital and electronic library, as well as the consequencies of electronic (digital) documents on traditional libraries of our contemporary world. Stresses the importance of Internet for the community in general, especially for the information occupations. Concludes that the dream of an universal library for all human beings is becoming a reality.