The Public Libraries Group (PLG) of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) and An Chomhairle Leabharlanna (The Library Council) have released details of the short listed libraries in the Public Library Building Awards UK and Republic of Ireland 2009.
34 applications were received for the 2009 awards. In alphabetical order the short listed libraries are:
Bangor Carnegie Library – Librariesni Northern Ireland Library Authority
Downham Library – London Borough of Lewisham
High Heaton Community Library – Newcastle City Council
High Street Library – Bolton Council
High Wycombe Library – Buckinghamshire County Council
Ivybridge Library – Devon County Council
Newcastle City Library – Newcastle City Council
Pollok Library and Learning Centre – Culture and Sport Glasgow on behalf of Glasgow City Council
Ramsgate Library – Kent County Council
Winchester Discovery Centre – Hampshire County Council.
Each short listed library has their DVD entry and three selected pictures at: www.cilip.org.uk/plg/awards.
Winners of the competition will be announced during the Public Library Authorities Conference 2009 at the Grand Hotel Bristol on Wednesday 7th October.
The awards focus on areas of key importance in building design, practice, management and use. In 2009 the categories are:
Architecture Meets Practicality; Innovation; Partnership;and, Sustainable Design.
All short listed libraries are entered for two further special awards – the Judges Award of the Mary Finch Accessibility Award and the Delegates Choice Award for the library receiving the most votes from delegates attending the PLA Conference.
Sponsors of the 2009 Awards are: Axiell, The Design Concept, 3M, Demco and BBC Audiobooks.

Irish libraries have a great record of success in the Awards and previous winners include Cavan County Council’s Johnson Centre Library and Cootehill Library (2007 and 2003); Waterford City’s Lady Lane and Ardkeen (2005 and 2003), and Donegal County Council’s Buncrana (2001). Irish libraries which were highly commended in previous years include Macroom, Milford, Thurles, and Tubbercurry.  For more information on past winners click here

Categories for the Public Library Buildings Awards UK and Republic of Ireland 2009 have been announced in Liverpool.

The Public Libraries Group (PLG) of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) and An Chomhairle Leabharlanna (The Library Council) today announced the categories of The Public Library Buildings Awards UK and Republic of Ireland 2009 at their annual conference in Liverpool.

The awards are recognised throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland as indicators of professional library development and as benchmarks for public library facilities, reflecting the major changes in library provision in the 21st century.  The awards are jointly sponsored by CILIP, PLG and An Chomhairle Leabharlanna.

The categories of the individual awards focus on areas of key importance in building design, practice, management and use.   In each category a new, refurbished or converted library may apply.  In 2009 the categories are:

Architecture Meets Practicality – Sponsored by Axiell

Libraries of architectural interest which are functional and user friendly, where the building reflects the brief/specification and vision of the architect and delivers the needs of a 21st Century service.

Innovation – Sponsored by The Design Concept

Libraries that demonstrate excellence in innovation specifically in interior design and the use of new technologies to deliver modern, inclusive services that improve the customer experience and ensure libraries remain at the heart of our communities.

Partnership – Sponsored by 3M

Libraries built and/or managed in partnership with other agencies including dual or multi purpose libraries, PFI/PPP libraries etc

Sustainable Design – Sponsored by Demco

Libraries which demonstrate principles of good design which are smart, sustainable and energy efficient thereby reducing their carbon footprint on the environment.

The awards will recognise achievements within the above categories from 1 January 2007 – 31 March 2009.
For the 2009 competition there are the following Special Awards:

Mary Finch Accessibility Award

This is a Judges Award which is sponsored by BBC Audiobooks, The award is given to the shortlisted library which, in the opinion of the judges, most addresses access issues from physical through to cultural barriers.

Delegates Choice

This award will go to the shortlisted library receiving the most votes from delegates attending the PLA Conference in 2009.

Judging Panel
The Panel for the 2009 awards is:

Joint Chair of Judging Panel:

• Norma McDermott – Director, An Chomhairle Leabharlanna (The Library Council, Ireland)
• Angie Weatherhead – Branch Librarian, Brixham Library

Judging Panel Members:

• Representative from the PLG Marketing Panel: Julie Griffiths –Lead Librarian, Halton Lea Library
• 1 representative chosen by An Chomhairle Leabharlanna
• The recipient of the PLG Personal Learning Grant will shadow the judging panel.
• Specialist judges reflecting the category of the award will also be seconded to the panel.

Further information

An information brochure is currently available giving full details on all the categories and the entrance criteria.

An electronic application forms will be available from 1 January 2009 from the Public Libraries Group website at www.cilip.org.uk/plg/awards and the An Chomhairle Leabharlanna website at www.librarycouncil.ie/buildingsawards

Enquiries should be directed to:
Angie Weatherhead – email angie.weatherhead@btinternet.com