The Future Library project (Norwegian: Framtidsbiblioteket) is a public artwork that aims to collect one original story by a popular writer every year until 2114, and to share them with the world only then.
The project was conceived by Katie Paterson during the summer of 2014. It is managed by the Future Library Trust and supported by the City of Oslo, Norway. It was produced for the Slow Space public art program and commissioned by Bjørvika, Oslo's former container port, and its development corporation.
The manuscripts will be held in a specially designed room at the new Deichman Library (Oslo Public Library) currently under construction in Bjørvika, Oslo. The collected works will be on display but the manuscripts will not be available for reading.
The Future Library Trust's committee of trustees will make a new selection annually based on the criteria "outstanding contributions to literature or poetry, and for their work's ability to capture the imagination of this and future generations."
One thousand trees were planted in the Nordmarka forest which will be used to print 1,000 copies of the limited-edition anthology. Certificates sold for £625 will entitle the holder to the full anthology.
Margaret Atwood was the first contributor to this project, officially handing over the manuscript for Scribbler Moon in May 2015. David Mitchell was the second author to contribute to the Future Library project and delivered his book From Me Flows What You Call Time on May 28, 2016. The third author selected is the Icelandic writer Sjón.