Australian Library Design Awards 2017

Thirty-three stunning libraries were entered in the awards and there is a winner in each category: public, school, academic and special libraries all feature in the entries.

The Australian Library Design Awards were created to showcase the best in contemporary library interiors and exteriors in Australia, and to celebrate the investment in libraries made by Australia's institutions, corporations, local, state and territory governments.

The winners in the five categories are:

Public Library

City of Perth Library, Perth WA | Kerry Hill Architects

To best serve this community, the library was designed to allow the best possible use of spaces and services. In addition to the physical collections and stock for borrowing, the library has dedicated floors targeted to different demographics: a floor for very young children with appropriately designed furniture and soft surfaces, as well as a young adult floor with study rooms and recreation areas, a History Centre for quiet study, bookable meeting rooms, hire facilities and many spaces for reading, studying and relaxation.

School Library

Hanly Learning Centre, St Joseph’s Nudgee College, Boondall, Qld| M3architecture

An all-boys Catholic school with approximately 1500 students from year 5 to year 12. The school library is within the Hanly Learning Centre and is open from early morning into the evening for use by day and boarding students. The Library offers a variety of spaces suited to individual study, small groups and classes in a variety of modes including collaboration, contemplation, didactic teaching and incidental learning.

Academic Library

John Phillips Library, Western Sydney University, Penrith Campus, NSW | Architects AJ+C

The John Phillips Library is one of six Western Sydney University libraries and primarily serves the students and staff of Western Sydney University Penrith campus. The current teaching areas at Penrith include Education, Science Computing and Engineering, and Design and Communication Arts. Additionally the library supports Western Sydney University College, and provides services for walk-in users from the local community including students from other universities. The library provides access to over one million electronic scholarly materials, targeted physical collections, group, quiet and silent study spaces and has integrated accessible furniture as standard practice.

Special Library

Arup Library, Sydney, NSW | BVN

Arup Library is a multi-disciplinary engineering and design consultancy, with more than 13,000 staff globally. Arup Library (Australasia), is part of Arup University, an internal university, whose aim is to promote and achieve technical excellence through the development of its staff.

ALIA Members' Choice

Geelong Library & Heritage Centre, Geelong Regional Library Corporation, Geelong, VIC | ARM Architecture

Designed to be an inspiring, multipurpose space, the centre will be many things to many different people: a place to meet and socialise; to read and study; to attend events; and use new technologies. Each level is unique with gathering places, reading spaces, the latest technology, spectacular collections, children's and youth hubs, function zones, café and more.