Liverpool's library a world finalist

12 September 2024

LIVERPOOL’S LIBRARY BOOKS A PLACE AT THE WORLD FINALS

Liverpool Council’s new Yellamundie Library is one of four finalists in an international competition to name the best new library in the world.

Each year, the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) makes the award, which will be announced in Barcelona Spain in October.

Director Community and Lifestyle Tina Bono said the short listing was a tribute to the vision of Council to create a magnificent library that was not only functional but also aesthetically stunning.

“Yellamundie was one of 16 libraries from 10 nations to apply and this has been whittled down to a shortlist of four,” she said.

“Council selected fjcstudio for its innovative approach.  It is significant that the last Australian library to win this award (in 2014) was also designed by this studio.”

fjcstudio describes the library as “a transformative addition to Western Sydney, a region experiencing rapid growth and economic change.

“Designed to serve a highly diverse community experiencing socio-economic disparity, this contemporary facility serves as vital social infrastructure.”

Jakob Lærkes, chairman of the IFLA jury panel, said “the Public Library of the Year award is all about paying tribute to role models, and each of the four nominated libraries stands out as libraries of the future.”

“It is impressive to see the different take on how to respond to the changing needs of the user, sustainability as a more and more important factor, when we build new libraries as well as different takes on how to create welcoming reading and learning spaces for the local communities.”

The finalists for the IFLA/Baker & Taylor Public Library of the Year Award 2024 are:

Yellamundie Library and Gallery, at Liverpool Civic Place. Operated by Liverpool City   Council (Australia)The Shenzhen Library North (China)Public Body Kaunas County Public Library (Lithuania)Beijing Library (China)

More information about the awards can be found here

Images of Yellamundie library can be found here

Background

Yellamundie seeks to create community connections, celebrate our diversity, and promote inclusion and equality, providing welcoming, comfortable, and accessible spaces for all members of the Liverpool community.

The library supports the community in recreation, lifelong learning, a healthy lifestyle, literacy and digital outcomes.

The Library holds extensive hard copy collections and digital material including eBooks, data bases and digital services for all ages and interests. The collection supports Liverpool’s diverse community which is home to over 150 different cultures across the globe.

There are Specialised collections and services that include:

18 community language collections;Learning to read support collections;Dyslexic collection; andDisability tech access room (unique)

The library offers a Heritage Service to preserve and present the history and development of Liverpool to the community in conjunction with our museum. Records and research assistance are available to Council and the public.

A broad range of programs and events are presented with Yellamundie including:

Children’s events - Storytime, Rhyme time, Early Literacy for Pre-Schoolers, school holiday events, Supported Playgroups and Transition to School programs.Youth events – extensive HSC programs e.g. ‘HSC Exam Preparation Workshop’, health programs e.g. ‘Building resilience and Better Self Care STEM and Robotics;Adult events – Author talks, Book Clubs, Preparing for Citizenship Courses, and a range of multi-cultural programs including Social Board games and multi-cultural story time.Seniors’ events – Tech savvy seniors, language groups.

The library also runs a range of themed events for all these projects.