Craigieburn Library in Australia wins Public Library of the Year Award 2014

The Danish Agency for Culture along with sponsor schmidt hammer lassen architects have revealed the Craigieburn Library in Hume City, Victoria, Australia as the recipient of the first Public Library of the Year Award 2014. The architectural prize is a proactive measure to design toward the "library of the future".

Designed by Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp, the library was selected as the winner during the IFLA's (The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions) annual conference in Lyon, France.

The Craigieburn Library was chosen out of four nominated libraries, with the other three being based in England, the Netherlands, and Denmark.

"The committee of judges concluded that 'the new library building is a brilliant and dynamic platform for the future development of living culture and knowledge and the good life in the city of Hume.”

The award is a part of the Model Programme for Public Libraries project of the Danish Agency for Culture and Realdania, which has motivated municipalities to develop the library of the future, so that it is prepared to incorporate, among other things, digital developments and local culture and accommodate diverse population groups with an open and functional architectural expression in balance with its surroundings. 

The committee of judges justified its choice of Craigieburn Library because, among other things, the library:

• "distinguishes itself as a significant modern construction with a strong, recognizable architectural concept ....
• with its open and flexible space, the library creates a democratic meeting place, open to diversity and interaction
• is a good example of how the City of Hume has used a library to create a sense of belonging for all demographic groups as both a learning centre and a gathering place for the city.'"