Barcelona, Spain -- 7 October 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.
In 2023, the Beijing Library opened its doors in Tongzhou, Beijing. As a branch of the Capital Library of China. Co-designed by architects Snøhetta (Norway) and ECADI (China) the Beijing Library offers a 75,000 square meters multifunctional community hub open to all.
The library is an impressive, spectacular, building, that presents a contemporary hub for learning, knowledge-sharing, social interaction, and community engagement. The interior follows this concept, integrating areas for conferences, exhibitions, performances, and the restoration of ancient books.
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."
Jury Chair Jakob Guillois Lærkes explains the jury's decision:
"This year's field of nominated libraries is particularly strong. From large and impressive prestige buildings to innovative and sustainable solutions as well as how to transform an existing library building to a completely new outcome. Beijing Library stands out as a vibrant and inviting book heaven with so many things to offer, as well as impressive sustainable solutions within the building. The jury were particularly impressed by how people, books and nature are connected throughout the design and programming of the building. It really stands out as a great example of a library for the future."
The Public Library of the Year award is presented each year by the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA). It happens together with new sponsor Baker & Taylor, who has stepped in to collaborate and sponsor the USD 5000 prizemoney, which is paid to the winner.
This year, 16 libraries from 10 different countries were in the running for the award. Four were nominated, and the final winner, Beijing Library, has just been announced at the International Library Conference Culture, Knowledge, Community in Barcelona. The other three finalists present at the award ceremony were Yellamundie Library and Gallery, Australia, Kaunas County Public Library, Lithuania and The Shenzhen Library North, China.
Baker & Taylor CEO and Group President, Amandeep Kochar remarked:
"Baker & Taylor is honored to sponsor the IFLA Public Library of the Year Award. And we extend our warmest congratulations to this year's finalists and winner. They are each outstanding examples of the innovative, vibrant, and vital role libraries play in their communities."
A modular design driven by Sustainable Technology
Entering the Beijing library, visitors find themselves in the world's largest climatized reading space connecting books, people, and nature throughout the design. Surrounded by curved stepped terraces, the forum mirrors the landscape of the nearby Tonghui River with sculpted hills and valleys.
The terraces serve as an informal zone for relaxing, talking, or reading while staying connected to the larger space. Incorporating technologies to minimize the building's embodied and operational carbon footprint, it employs modular components with a rationalized structural grid to reduce manufacturing waste. The columns holding the impressive skylike roof are also fitted with climate control technologies, including lighting, acoustics control, and rainwater collection.
The Beijing Library not only demonstrates its connection to the environment through its nature-infused design, but also strengthens its commitment to sustainability by reducing carbon emissions, adopting green office routines, and promoting a sharing and circular economy to achieve green goals. The Beijing Library places particular emphasis on assessing the environmental impact throughout the building's life cycle and has received China's Green Building Evaluation Label (GBEL) Three Star, the highest standard for green buildings in the country.
About IFLA/Baker & Taylor Public Library of the Year Award
The IFLA/Baker & Taylor Public Library of the Year Award is presented by the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) in collaboration with new sponsor Baker & Taylor, the leading supplier of library content, software, and services to public and academic libraries in the U.S., with the aim of paying tribute to new public libraries.
The award is presented to a library in any country worldwide, which has excelled at combining open and functional architecture with creative IT solutions while at the same time involving digital technologies and local culture.
To qualify for the award, libraries must be newly built, have added a significant extension, or located in a building that has not previously been used as a library. The Public Library of the Year Award 2024 comes with a cash prize of USD 5000, which is sponsored by Baker & Taylor.
The 2024 award was presented at the International Library Conference Culture, Knowledge, Community in Barcelona on 6-9 October 2024. The conference is organized by The Ministry of Culture of Spain, the Government of Catalonia, Barcelona Provincial Council, Barcelona Libraries Consortium and the FESABID, together with the IFLA Sections on Public Libraries, Metropolitan Libraries, Library Buildings and Equipment, Rare Books and Special Collections (RBSC), and Art Libraries (ARTLIB).