In commemoration of the Librarian of the Year Award's 20th anniversary, this article presents brief vignettes on all 19 of the title holders. When "Library Journal" named them Librarians of the Year, these inimitable 19 (for the 20th, Norma Blake, see EJ788676) had singled themselves out as risk takers, visionaries, bulldogs, pragmatists, optimists, and dreamers. They have since set off in various directions--some continue making headway in their same (mostly public library) positions; some have moved on to other library-related ventures; some now work as consultants in the field; and still others offer the distinct perspective of librarian-turned-patron. They have survived steep budget cuts, multiple branch closings, earthquakes, even cancer. The single common denominator: they all have strong opinions on and critical concerns about the library profession.