PUBLIC LIBRARY BUILDING
AWARDS 2009

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) announced the categories of The Public Library Buildings Awards UK and Republic of Ireland 2009 at the Public Library Authorities 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 (Torbay Library Services)

Judging Panel Members:
Representative from the PLG Marketing Panel: Julie Griffiths – Lead Librarian, Halton Lea Library (Halton Borough Council)

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 (ppt,4.19mb) is currently available giving full details on all the categories and the entrance criteria.  For a printed copy email angie.weatherhead@btinternet.com

An electronic application form will be available from 1 January 2009 from this website and the An Chomhairle Leabharlanna website.