![Cavan [exterior]](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2172/1542395697_6b15b964c1_m.jpg)
The Johnston Central Library and Farnham Centre in Cavan won The Judges Award, the ‘Mary Finch Accessibility Award,’ as the library which best incorporated access for all patrons, at The Public Library Buildings Awards UK and Republic of Ireland 2007, in Glasgow.
The Judges Award, the ‘Mary Finch Accessibility Award’ generously sponsored by the BBC, goes to the library which, in the judges opinion, most addressed inclusivity – the accessibility elements in this library have been carefully integrated to ensure that it meets and possibly exceeds the regulations but does so in an understated way. This means that any visitor to the building is likely to have the same visitor experience moving through this building.
The Johnston Central Library and Farnham Centre was also highly commended in the ‘Architecture Meets Practicaliy’Award. Thurles Library was highly commended in the ‘Partnership’ award. For a full list of results, as well as an oppotunity to view video clips of the winning libraries, visit the CILIP website.
The Public Libraries Group (PLG) of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) and An Chomhairle Leabharlanna (The Library Council) announced the winners of The Public Library Buildings Awards UK and Republic of Ireland 2007 at their annual conference in Glasgow.
The awards recognise the best libraries open to the public in the last 2 years throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Starting in 1995, this competition continues to attract large and small authorities to vie for the only awards to recognise the functionality of library buildings on both sides of the Irish Sea. The sponsors are the BBC, Demco Interiors and 3m.
The awards focus on building design, practice, management and use of the buildings by the library customers and staff.
Architecture Meets Practicality
This award is for new or refurbished libraries of architectural interest which are practical and user friendly, where the building reflects the brief/specification, vision of the architect and delivers the needs of a 21st Century service.
Winner – Prestonpans Library, East Lothian
Highly Commended (1) – Johnston Central Library and Farnham Centre, Cavan, Co Cavan
Highly Commended (2) – The Mitchell Library, Glasgow
Heart of the Community
This award is for new or refurbished libraries which have been designed to enhance and/or regenerate the library space to facilitate the delivery of new, inclusive, innovative services to the whole community.
Winner – The Hook Library and the Hook Centre, Kingston upon Thames
Highly Commended – Lewes Library and Information Centre, Lewes, East Sussex
Interior Design
This award is for new or refurbished libraries which have been designed to enhance and/or regenerate the library space to facilitate the delivery of new, inclusive, innovative services to the whole community.
Winner – Handsworth Library, Birmingham
Partnership
This award is for new or refurbished libraries built and/or managed in partnership with other agencies including dual or multi purpose libraries and Private Finance Initiatives/Public Private Partnership libraries.
Winner – Library at the Bridge, Glasgow
Highly Commended – Thurles Library, Thurles, County Tipperary
The Mary Finch Accessibility Award
The Judges Award, the ‘Mary Finch Accessibility Award’ generously sponsored by the BBC, goes to the library which, in the opinion of the judges, most addressed inclusivity – the accessibility elements in this library have been carefully integrated to ensure that it meets and possibly exceeds the regulations but does so in an understated way. This means that any visitor to the building is likely to have the same visitor experience moving through this building.
The Johnston Central Library and Farnham Centre in Cavan won this coveted prize as the library which best incorporated access for all patrons. This award honours the late Mary Finch who was the public face of the BBC Audio Books supply service to librarians throughout the two islands.
The Delegates’ Choice Award
The Delegates’ Choice award affords an opportunity to those attending the PLA Glasgow conference and through the Public Library Group’s website to choose from the 16 longlisted libraries for their favourite. A total of 33 libraries were nominated from services throughout Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland. The winner, Felixstowe library, Suffolk, won the hearts and minds of the librarians with its exciting DVD pitch.
The judging panel was led by Norma McDermott Director of the Library Council (Ireland) and Adrienne Adair (Northern Ireland’s SEELB) with a range of expertise provided on the panel by:
Angie Weatherhead (Torbay Library Services),
Julie Griffiths (Halton Library Service),
Stephen Hetherington, Design and Culture consultant,
Peter Maxwell (CABE),
Jo McCausland (MLA, UK) and
Sean Phillips (UCD, Dublin).
Further information is available from
Norma McDermot – email nmcdermott@librarycouncil.ie
Adrienne Adair – email adrienne.adair@ni-libraries.net
Comments on this entry are closed.