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While Librarians and architects design public
library spaces, it is the general public that will shape their usage
into the 21st century. This is the view of the judging panels of the
Public Library Buildings Awards, 2009.
Popular author Gervase
Phinn announced the Public Library Building Awards UK and Republic of
Ireland 2009 at a glittering award ceremony during the Public Library
Authorities Conference held in Bristol on Wednesday night (October 7th,
2009).
The competing libraries showcase the shaping and
sharing of services with a strong focus on relevant service delivery in
the economic downturn. The judges were impressed by the shared
services, the imaginative use of technology and the range of services
on offer and in use.
The award is an initiative of The Public
Libraries Group (PLG) of the Chartered Institute of Library and
Information Professionals (CILIP) and An Chomhairle Leabharlanna (The
Library Council). The awards recognise the best libraries which opened
to the public in the last two years throughout the UK and the Republic
of Ireland. The awards focus on library building design, good practice,
overall management and the public usage.
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. Video clips and photographs can be viewed by visiting the
details of each of the winning libraries.
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
pysical 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 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)
Sponsors of the 2009 Awards are: Axiell, The Design Concept, 3M, Demco
and BBC Audiobooks.