IFLA/Baker & Taylor Public Library of the Year Award 2024

Beijing Library from China is this year´s winner of the prestigious Public Library of the Year Award. Standing out with its spectacular and innovative sustainable solutions, certain wow-factor and as an impressive book heaven for the entire community.

Deputy Director, Li Nianzu of winner Beijing Library is thrilled with the award:

“Beijing Library is a place that sparks curiosity and creativity, and it fully embodies our vision of transformation. It is a great honor to receive this award. Thank you to the committee and to everyone, who has supported us. We look forward to welcoming everyone, who loves libraries, in Beijing.”

The award was presented on Monday 7th October 2024 at the IFLA Public Libraries Section Midterm Conference “Public Libraries and Democracy” in Barcelona, Spain.

This year, 16 libraries from 10 different countries have applied for the award, making the prize truly international. After much thought and consideration, the jury members of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) have narrowed the field of applications down to this year´s four finalists.

Each of them stands out with a winning combination of functional sustainable architecture, creative IT solutions, and strengthening local culture.

The finalists for the IFLA/Baker & Taylor Public Library of the Year Award 2024 are:

• Yellamundie Library and Gallery, at Liverpool Civic Place. Operated by Liverpool City Council (Australia)
• The Shenzhen Library North (China)
• Public Body Kaunas County Public Library (Lithuania)
• Beijing Library (China)

Jakob Lærkes, chairman of the jury panel and head of libraries in the Municipality of Gladsaxe, Denmark, is excited about the diversity in this year’s nominees and how the field of applications for the award keeps surprising with showcased innovation for the world of libraries:

“The Public Library of the Year award is all about paying tribute to role models, and each of the four nominated libraries stands out as libraries of the future. It is impressive to see the different take on how to respond to the changing needs of the user, sustainability as a more and more important factor, when we build new libraries as well as different takes on how to create welcoming reading and learning spaces for the local communities. The jury and I believe that each of the four nominated libraries are examples to follow.”

Jakob Lærkes, Chair of the Jury