The “Public Library of the Year” award is presented by the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) with the aim of honouring new public libraries. Baker & Taylor is proud new main sponsor of the award.

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 located in a building, that have not previously been used as a library.

To qualify, the library must be built and opened between 1 January and 31 December of the previous year.

Current call for submissions (2024)

In 2024, we are happy to announce Baker & Taylor as new main sponsor of the Public Library of the Year Award. We will like to give a huge thank you to our previous sponsor of the Award, Systematic, for tirelessly having promoted and worked closely with IFLA to give credits and recognition to some of the worlds best new library buildings through the years.

See also: Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about the award should be directed to Julie Broch-Mikkelsen, ploty.award@gmail.com.

Previous Award winners