Please join the IFLA Public Libraries Section as we celebrate the 2020/21 shortlisted libraries for the IFLA/Systematic Public Library of the Year Award and to hear from previous winners of the award.

It is widely accepted that the library building is a crucially important ingredient in the successful operation of a public library.

The IFLA Systematic Public Library of the Year Award celebrates beautiful and unique public library buildings from around the world. The award is presented annually to the world’s best public library – a newly built public library that combines functional architecture with creative IT solutions and includes digital development with local culture. But what makes these exemplar libraries so successful? What can we learn from these libraries and which elements are they most proud of?

These questions and others will be answered during The Public Library of the Year Webinar.

The webinar will be held on 24th of November from 1300-1400 (CET). Representatives from the following short-listed libraries from the 2020-2021 award will be joining the webinar:

The 2021 shortlisted libraries are characterised by the sustainable recycling of materials, natural daylight incorporated into the buildings, and many unique, architectural details.  You can find out more about the short listed libraries here.

In addition to the impressive 2021-2021 libraries two previous winners of the IFLA, Systematic Public Library of the Year will also join the webinar:

  • 2019 winner Oodi (Helsinki, Finland)
  • 2018 winner School7 (Den Helder, Netherlands)

Come and join us!

Looking back on the Public Library of the Year Award 2021