The purpose of this research study was to investigate the development of school library media programs in the United States and the emerging roles of school library media specialists from a historical perspective and to make inferences about the future of the profession at the edge of the 21st century. The study was divided into six historical stages. The first two stages dealt with school library issues before the 1950s; the last four stages, each representing a decade from the 1950s through the 1980s, traced the emergence of the school library media program and profession. Each stage reflected societal and educational events that affected the profession's evolution and presented technological, social, and educational trends and visions that might influence the future of the school library media profession. The findings imply that the future of the profession depends on the ability of school library media specialists to adapt and cope with rapid changes in the Information Age. Keeping abreast of technological and educational developments and transferring professional expertise through effective interpersonal skills are requisite. It is concluded that the profession must encompass past and present roles with future visions as it continues to emerge in the 21st century. (54 references) (BBM)