Winning Applicant for IFLA Public Library of the Year Award 2025

Gabrielle-Roy Library, Québec, Canada
Gabrielle-Roy Library is a great example of how a creative renovation of an existing library building can bring new life to a local community. Rather than just tearing the existing library down to establish a new library, the renovation and expansion of Gabrielle Roy completely transforms the existing structure into a modern, inspiring library. It does so while integrating a wide range of sustainable features and notably minimizing waste and reducing the need for new resource extraction by adapting the existing structure.  While the old building appeared gated, passive, and not well connected to its environment, the renovation distributes public functions throughout the building with a lovely connection with the streetscape through its glazed street façade and an outdoor balcony. Architects: Saucier + Perrotte | GLCRM Architects Consortium

1. New Canaan Library, New Canaan, Connecticut, United States
2. Heping Library, Shanghai, China

New Canaan Library, New Canaan, Connecticut, United States

New Canaan Library ticks all the boxes of what makes a really great and welcoming new library for an entire community. The programming of the building gives you a feeling of a nice, light, and welcoming public living room, where the local citizens can meet up for a various of activities. There simply seems to be something for everyone. Architects: Centerbrook Architects and Planners

Heping Library, Shanghai, China
Presented as the first 24-hour park library in Shanghai, Heping Library stands out as a beautiful contextually inspired library with nicely integrated indoor and outdoor spaces. The library is nestled within Heping Park and is programmed in a way that visitors are given the feeling of being in the middle of a garden while visiting the library. Architects: Adam Lau 

Baker & Taylor is the proud main sponsor of the award, one which is presented to a library somewhere in the world, that has best managed to combine open and functional architecture with sustainable and creative IT solutions and has included both digital developments and local culture.

The award is presented to a library somewhere in the world, that has best managed to combine open and functional architecture with sustainable and creative IT solutions and has included both digital developments and local culture.

To be eligible for the award, the library must be newly built, have added a significant extension, or be located in a building that has not previously been used as a library.

The award ceremony will take place as part of The 89th IFLA World Library and Information Congress (WLIC) held from the 18th-22nd August in the Congress Centre in Astana, Kazakhstan. The winner of the award receives US$ 5,000.