Public Library Building Awards 2009 Information

The sponsors of the 2009 awards are Axiell, BBC Audiobooks, Demco Interiors, and The Design Concept. The award ceremony was sponsored by John Laing Integrated Services.

There are four categories for the public library authorities to enter with two special awards. 34 entries competed for the awards. Winning and commended libraries ranged from the large city libraries to suburban and rural neighbourhood libraries in the United Kingdom

Architecture Meets Practicality

This award recognises new or refurbished libraries of architectural interest which provide practical solutions to users needs and are user friendly with the building reflecting the brief/specification and vision of the architect and delivering the needs of a 21st Century public service.

Winner – Winchester Discovery Centre – Hampshire County Council

Highly Commended – Bangor Carnegie Library – Librariesni, Northern Ireland Library Authority

Commended (1) – High Heaton Community Library – Newcastle City Council

Commended (2) – Ramsgate Library – Kent County Council

Innovation

This award values 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 that public libraries remain at the heart of our communities.

Winner – Newcastle City Library – Newcastle City Council

Highly Commended – High Wycombe Library – Buckinghamshire County Council

Commended (1) – Downham Library – London Borough of Lewisham

Commended (2) – High Street Library – Bolton Council
 

Partnership

This award recognises new, refurbished or converted libraries built and/or managed in partnership with other agencies including dual or multi purpose libraries, PFI/PPP libraries etc. The library buildings demonstrate a seamless integration and overall purpose agreed between all the partners involved, from the planning process through to the service delivery.

Winner – Pollok Library and Learning Centre – Culture and Sport Glasgow on behalf of Glasgow City Council

Highly Commended – Ivybridge Library – Devon County Council


The Mary Finch Accessibility Award

This Judges Award is generously sponsored by BBC Audiobooks to honour the late Mary Finch who worked for Chivers Press, latterly BBC Audiobooks, for nearly twenty years. The award goes to the public library which in the judges’ opinion most addresses access issues from the purely physical perspective through to the removal of cultural barriers for all users.

Winner – Newcastle City Library


Delegates’ Choice Award

The Delegates' Choice award affords an opportunity to all the librarians and councillors attending the PLA Bristol conference to choose their favourite from the ten shortlisted libraries which are highlighted throughout the conference.

Winner - Newcastle City Library


Judging Panel

The judging panel was led by Norma McDermott Director of the Library Council (Ireland) and Angie Weatherhead, PLG Committee Representative (Torbay Library Service) with a range of expertise provided panel by:

Julie Griffiths (Halton Library Service),
Stephen Hetherington - Design and Culture consultant,
Peter Maxwell - Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE),
Jessica Harris – Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA)

The recipient of the PLG Personal Learning Grant ,Vanessa Chalmers (City of Edinburgh Council) shadowed the judges throughout the shortlisting and visits to the 10 shortlisted libraries.