Building for Books reflects on libraries throughout the ages whilst also looking to the future. The first part consists of 8 essays, richly illustrated in black and white. Here the high points in library history are evoked and analysed: from the library in Alexandria to ladies' book collections in the Middle Ages, from the treasures of the Baroque era and the Boullees Bibliotheque Royale to Aby Warburg's library. Also considered are the great National libraries, and the modern library as a source of information. The second part contains visionary designs for how the library of 2020 might look, contributed by the young Swiss architects: Robert Briccola, Conradin Clavuot, Galletti & Matter, Christian Kerez, Miller & Maranta, Schar & Smolenicky, Smarch Stucheli & Mathys, Jens Studer.