Australian Library Design Awards
The Australian Library Design Awards showcase the best in contemporary library interiors and exteriors in Australia, and celebrate the investment in libraries made by our nation’s institutions, corporations, local, state and territory governments.
They have been developed in the context of other competitions internationally, including the American Institute of Architects/American Library Association Library Building Awards and the International Federation of Library Association Public Library of the Year Award.
The entries, shortlisted and winning designs provide case studies in excellent library design for the 21st Century.
The awards are organised by the Australian Library and Information Association. The awards were first presented in 2017, and they are now a biennial event.
Awards Categories
There are five categories – public libraries, academic libraries, school libraries, special libraries and the judges are also welcoming entries that may not fit in those categories. New concept, specialised, pop-up, temporary, mobile or any other innovative library can nominate under the ‘other’ category.
Applications are encouraged for small or large projects, for “new builds”, renovations or refurbishments. While entries are judged against the same criteria, the judging panel is empowered to make special awards for outstanding entries in specific areas where a high level of innovation, creativity and transformation has been demonstrated, regardless of scale.
Public
Academic
School
Special
Other
Eligibility
Any library in Australia, recently built, renovated or refurbished (work completed between 30 June 2023 and 30 August 2025) can be entered for the awards. Libraries nominated for previous awards cannot be entered again.
Who can nominate
Nominations are submitted by libraries and their designers or architects.
Nominations OPEN
Nominations CLOSE
Judging
Shortlist announced
Winners announced
Key dates
Online nominations open on 30 July 2025 and close on 28 February 2026. Judging will take place in March and April and the shortlist will be announced in April 2026.
On Wednesday 13 May 2026 as part of the ALIA National 2026 Conference Dinner, there will be a presentation featuring the shortlisted projects and the presentation to winners.
Judging Panel
The judging panel comprises independent design professionals and library leaders.
The judging panel reserves the right not to make an award in a category or to make more than one award where there are equally outstanding entries. It may assign highly commended status to impressive entries.
Philip Kent
Chair, Library Buildings and Equipment Section, International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions
Caroline Butler-Bowdon
State Librarian, State Library of New South Wales
Helen Partridge
Pro Vice-Chancellor Teaching and Learning, Deakin University
Katerina Dracopoulos
Director, Fulton Trotter Architects
Kirsten Day
Senior Lecturer in Technology and Practice, Australian Institute of Architects
Lisa Given
Director, Social Change Enabling Impact Platform, Research and Innovation Portfolio, RMIT University
Margie Kirkness
Manager Libraries and Museum, Shellharbour City Council
Awards
In addition to the kudos and publicity surrounding their achievement, the winners of the awards receive handcrafted trophies.
How to enter
We have prepared an entry checklist to help you prepare the information you will need to submit.
- Complete the online entry form. All submissions must be in electronic format. You will be able to upload images, high level floor plans and architectural drawings, each file under 20MB (jpeg or pdf format preferred).
- Make your payment of the non-refundable entry fee of $400 + GST (ALIA members) and $550 + GST (non-ALIA members). An invoice for this payment will be sent to the contact email address in the nomination within 3 business days of completing the nomination form.
Shortlisted entrants may be asked for further information or engagement with the judging panel.
Judging criteria
Entries will be assessed on how well the designs have met their objectives of the following criteria:
Strategic relevance: including approach to achieving the organisational, service and design objectives, response to special considerations or challenges, sustainability and value for money.
Design: including interior, exterior appearance, visual impact, flexibility, innovation, accessibility and integration into the local environment.
Budget: Cost of project meets the community needs and shows value for money.
Innovation: Design incorporates innovative approaches and flexible use of space.
Sustainability: Sustainability is featured as a core component of the design.
Impact: Including user experience, efficiency, functionality, delivery of services, meeting community needs and accessibility. For smaller projects constrained by space or costs, the panel will assess the level of innovation, creativity and transformation achieved despite the constraints.
The judges’ decision will be final.
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