(photo courtesy of IFLA)
By Andrew Richard Albanese, Editor-in-Chief
In a release this week, IFLA (the International Federation of Library Associations) announced that Australia-based library supplier James Bennett has taken over sponsorship of the IFLA Public Library of the Year Award from U.S.-based Baker & Taylor after the company’s sudden collapse late last year.In a statement, IFLA reps called the commitment of James Bennett to sponsor the award for the next five years “a great step forward,” that will ensure the “ongoing celebration of excellence in library design and function.”
The annual award celebrates a newly built or expanded public library 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.”
With more than 60 years’ experience, James Bennett is Australia’s leading library supplier, delivering collection support, including print and digital content and other essential services to public, academic, state and national libraries across Australia, New Zealand, and internationally.
“Each year, this award shines a spotlight on libraries, that set new international benchmarks for accessibility, sustainability, flexibility, and user experience,” said James Bennett GM Kim Jardine, in a statement. “It is with great pride that James Bennett steps into the role of main sponsor of the IFLA Public Library of the Year Award, a globally recognized celebration of the world’s most inspiring new public libraries, where design excellence meets genuine community impact.”
The 2025 award, which was announced last August at the 89th World Library and Information Congress in Astana, Kazakhstan, went to the Gabrielle-Roy Library, Québec, Canada.
Previous Award winners include:
- 2024: Beijing Library, China
- 2023: Biblioteca Gabriel García Márquez, Spain
- 2022: Missoula Public Library, United States of America
- 2021: Deichman Bjørvika, Norway
- 2019: Oodi Helsinki Central Library, Finland
- 2018: KopGroep Bibliotheken (School 7), Netherlands
- 2016: Dokk1, Denmark
- 2015: Kista Public Library, Sweden
- 2014: Craigieburn Library, Australia
The call for applications for the 2026 award opens on February 18. Questions about the award should be directed to Julie Broch-Mikkelsen, ploty.award@gmail.com.