The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) has launched the inaugural Australian Library Design Awards to be presented 2017.
The awards, organized in partnership with the Australian Public Library Alliance and the Council of Australian University Librarians, has been created to showcase contemporary library interiors and exteriors.
The awards follow international precedents such as the American Institute of Architects/American Library Association Library Building Awards and the Danish Agency for Culture Model Programme for Public Libraries Public Library of the Year Award.
Entries are open to all libraries in Australia that have been built, renovated or refurbished between 1 July 2013 and 31 July 2016. Pop-up, temporary and mobile libraries are not eligible. Entries will be assessed on design, strategic relevance and impact.
There awards encompass four categories: public libraries, academic libraries, school libraries and special libraries.
Entries will be assessed on how well the designs meet their objectives and specifically on the basis of three criteria:
- Design: including interior and exterior appearance, visual impact, flexibility, innovation and integration into the local environment
- Strategic relevance: including approach to achieving the objectives, response to special considerations or challenges, sustainability and value for money
- Impact: including user experience, efficiency, functionality, delivery of services, meeting community needs and accessibility.
Nominations are open until 2 December 2016. A shortlist will be announced in May 2017 to coincide with Library and Information Week. A one-day conference will be held at the Library at the Dock on 19 June 2017, during which shortlisted projects will be presented. ALIA hopes to present the award once every two years following the inaugural presentation in 2017.
The jury for the award comprises senior library leaders and design professionals including Philip Follent (life fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects) and Kylie Legge (director of Place Partners).
To enter, click here.
