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Editing a journal boils down to two very separate and distinct functions. First, deciding what articles you want to publish, finding good people to write those articles, and — perhaps most challenging — getting those people to agree to write the articles. The second function is reading the articles you solicit as well as those submitted for consideration and editing those; working with authors on reshaping and redeveloping the articles or just making editorial changes. Importantly, both parts allow the editor to shape the direction, feel, and focus of the journal.

For years, forecasters and futurists discussing the future of the library often come across (perhaps fairly) as doomsayers. H. Folk, for example, speaking at the 1976 Clinic on Library Applications of Data Processing, predicted that with the use of electronic information systems “libraries would also widier away, their historic duty done.” I myself have always believed that librarians would successfully adapt themselves and their libraries to technological change, essentially retooling the profession for the society we serve. While many librarians have successfully done this, society's perception of our skills and our institutions has not changed.

Libraries are businesses. Two issues ago, The Bottom Line (TBL) included an article by American Library Association president‐elect Betty Turock, entitled “Three business trends that strengthen library operations”. These trends involved: creating organizations in which innovation can flourish, creating organizations which prepare and live by strategic plans, and creating organizations which participate in the national political arena. In her article, Turock asked two critical questions: “How do we position our organizations to thrive, not merely survive?” and “How do we cope with the inevitable barrage of changes that confront us and still keep our organizations viable?”

A couple of years ago the library press was constantly filled with depressing news of library closures, funding cutbacks, staff lay‐offs, and wage concessions. In the last year, though, the news has been more upbeat and hopeful. Several major recent news items make me think that the worst may be behind us and the future for libraries can be as bright as we have the brains and the guts to make it.