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Public Library Building Awards 2005
Shortlist and Longlist Announced
Libraries that lead the way in library building design will be recognised in the Public Library Building Awards 2005
The shortlist and longlist of this year’s awards have been announced by the Public Libraries Group (PLG) of CILIP (The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals).
Launched in 1995, the Awards recognise the highest level of new and refurbished library development across the UK and Ireland. They are recognised as benchmarks for modern public library facilities and indicators of professional library development. Awarded biennially, this round recognises new and refurbished libraries opened between 1st January 2003 and 31st March 2005.
Philippa Harper, Joint Chair, says: “There has been a tremendous range of entries this year. Library design is developing all the time, as authorities find new ways to engage with communities through quality design. We’re looking for the highest standards to hold up as benchmarks to the wider library community.
We’d also like to pass our thanks to all the authorities which applied, particularly those responsible for producing the necessary electronic applications. These will in time, we hope, be used to enhance accessibility to good practice throughout Ireland and the UK.”
Categories
To mark the 10th anniversary this year, and to reflect changes in public library design, management and use, PLG has introduced new categories focussing on areas of key importance in building practice and to users.
The new categories are:
1.Partnership
Libraries built or refurbished in partnership with other agencies
2.Architect meets Practicality
Libraries of significant architectural interest which are practical and user-friendly
3.Interior Design
Libraries which have effectively combined light, space, people movement with exciting or innovative colour and design.
4.Heart of the community
Libraries which have been designed to enhance, regenerate and/or tackle social inclusion issues in local communities and/or new innovative service delivery deriving from the revitalised library facility
5.Mary Finch Accessibility Award
A new award to honour the late Mary Finch of BBC Audio Books. The award is given to the library which, in the opinion of the judges, most addresses access issues from physical through to cultural barriers.
Shortlisted Libraries
From 69 original entries, the following tables give the shortlisted and long-listed libraries:
| Shortlisted Buildings | Authority |
|---|---|
| Explore Music | Gateshead Council |
| Garston Library & One Stop Shop | Liverpool Libraries & Information Services |
| Gorbals Library | Glasgow City Council |
| Gosport Discovery Centre | Hampshire County Council |
| Hamilton Town House | South Lanarkshire Council |
| Jubilee Library | Brighton & Hove City Council |
| Sutton Central Library | London Borough of Sutton |
| Swiss Cottage Central Library | London Borough of Camden |
| Tubbercurry Civic Offices & Library | Sligo County Council, ROI |
| Waterford City Library | Waterford City Council, ROI |
6.Delegates Choice
The final award, for which both the above shortlisted and the following long-listed libraries will be eligible, is the Delegates Choice. This is the library receiving the most votes from delegates attending the Public Library authorities Conference in October, and electronic votes from members of the group via the group’s website.
Longlisted Libraries
| Longlisted Libraries | Authority |
|---|---|
| Ashbourne | Meath County Council, ROI |
| Ballymena | North Eastern Education & Library Board, Northern Ireland |
| Cambourne | Cambridgeshire County Council |
| Dartmouth | Devon County Council |
| Forum, Wythenshawe | Manchester City Council |
| Hendon | London Borough of Barnet |
| Library @ the Phoenix Centre | London Borough of Sutton |
Judge Norma McDermott reports:
"I welcome the development of the awards for two reasons; the increase in entry level which now stands at 69 is testament to a growing service, and the energy directed in the library building design is towards providing "opportunities for increasingly diverse usage"
Adrienne Adair, Joint Chair says:
“The panel was delighted to receive 69 entries from across the UK and Ireland. The island of Ireland alone has fielded a total of four libraries in both the longlist and shortlist sections.
Notes to editors
Judging Panel
The Panel for the 2005 awards consists of:
Joint Chair
Philippa Harper-Discovery Centres Co-Coordinator, Hampshire County Council
Adrienne Adair-Assistant Chief Librarian, South East Education and Library Board, Northern Ireland
Norma McDermott - Director, An Chomhairle Leabharlanna (The Library Council, Ireland)
Amanda Poulton, Winner of the PLG Personal Learning Grant for 2004/05.
Specialist judges reflecting the category of the award will be seconded to the panel. The judges’ visited shortlisted libraries in June.
The Project Manager for the digitisation of the awards is Angie Dailey,….supported by Panel member Amanda Poulton
Winners will be announced at the Public Libraries Authority Conference in at Chesford Grange Hotel, Kenilworth, to be held from 19th-21st October 2005.
General criteria
The following general criteria apply to all categories:
- Innovative design
- Full accessibility
- Value for money
- Durability
- Community engagement
Contact
Philippa Harper
Joint Chair, Public Library Building Awards
Discovery Centre Coordinator
Hampshire County Council
Chilcomb House
Chilcomb Lane
Winchester
SO23 8RD.
Tel: 01962 826700
Email: philippa.harper@hants.gov.uk