In 2002, when we first launched Movers & Shakers to identify librarians and others who were “shaping the future of libraries,” we had no idea how strongly it would resonate in the library world. We wanted to shatter the old library image and recognize the changing face of the profession, as new, younger, generally unsung librarians brought up on technology entered the field and began to alter it. We expected to skew toward twenty- and thirtysomethings and we have. But given that librarianship often attracts career-changers and that librarians—no matter their age—have embraced technology and Library 2.0, we have found no age cap.

The hundreds of nominated Movers & Shakers that first year gave us an indication of not only how much sheer talent exists in the library field but also how willing and eager so many of you are to direct kudos to your colleagues. Those nominations helped us cast a wide net into every corner of library land. They set a standard for the kind of people we continue to select.

Reading through the profiles of the 51 2009 Movers & Shakers reinforces that continuity. As in previous years, this crop plays with ideas, like the University of Huddersfield's Dave Pattern, our first UK Mover, who aims to aggregate usage data across libraries and “build a recommendation system that makes Amazon's look amateurish.” They're also not afraid to fail—like Wyoming State Library's continuing education coordinator Jamie Markus, who encourages librarians to “try new things,” even if they don't work. “I've heard of some pretty goofy library programs.... Some failed, but others attracted a different sort of user.”

They see a problem, then solve it. Jenica Rogers-Urbanek, a college collection development librarian (SUNY-Potsdam), is coordinating a cooperative collections plan across the multicollege state system that could not only enhance what's available to all but save money as well. Boston Public Library's Koren Stembridge, who found out from teachers that kids weren't going to the library because some 57,000 of them owed late fees, persuaded the administration to issue a blanket amnesty for all involved.

The Movers also know that library technology is simply a means to an end. For instance, Grand Rapids Public Library's Rebecca Near points out that it's a way “to provide exceptional service and kick-ass collections that respond to the real interest of patrons.”

Among those collections and services are digital displays of vintage fashions, answers to reference questions on iPhone and chat, and online tutorials for kids and adults, all kinds of students, and even other librarians. This year's Movers deliver programs like Reading for Life, for inmates with low literacy skills, a teen-inspired environmental film festival, and a One Book, One Zip Code (OBOZ) project across three towns. They serve the underserved, encourage diversity, fight for open access, forge community, and lobby for funding.

Since that first Movers & Shakers group, the idea has become self-sustaining: each year brings a slew of amazing nominees, and each new “class” identifies colleagues nationwide to bring into the fold. They now number over 400 strong. The list has even been mined to bring new blood to the American Library Association (ALA) Council. They are an extraordinary group, happy finally to meet one another at the annual celebration (held during the ALA summer conference) and to share ideas. (For a complete list of Movers & Shakers, go to libraryjournal.com/movers2009).

A library director once called the LJ Movers & Shakers luncheon a “feeding frenzy,” as directors and vendors circled the talent. We look at it a little differently: we're proud to recognize and be associated with these individuals and to bring their achievements to broader attention. Both we and they know that they only represent a sliver of the overachievers that transform the field. Here's to the Class of 2009.