By Andrew Richard Albanese, Editor-in-Chief
The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) has announced the shortlist for the IFLA/James Bennett Public Library of the Year Award 2026.The annual award celebrates a newly built or expanded public library that has “best managed to combine open and functional architecture with sustainable and creative IT solutions” and “has included both digital developments and local culture.”
IFLA repos said this year’s shortlist was drawn from a field of of 19 applications from 9 countries. The shortlisted libraries will be showcased at the 90th World Library and Information Congress in Busan, South Korea, from 10-13 August 2026, with the winning library receiving a $5,000 prize.
This year’s award will be the first named for its new sponsor, Australia-based library supplier James Bennett, which took over sponsorship of award from U.S.-based Baker & Taylor after the company’s sudden collapse late last year.
The 2026 shortlist includes:
Library+ Caloundra (Sunshine Coast, Australia)
Library+ Caloundra is “a strong and visionary demonstration of how skillful adaptive reuse can transform a vacant 1990s civic structure into a high-performing, state-of-the-art civic hub and community asset,” IFLA reps said. “By repurposing the existing structure, the project is a sustainable inspiration on how strategic reuse can deliver inclusive and sustainable social infrastructure.”
Mesa Gateway Library (Arizona, United States)
Mesa Gateway Library is “a refreshing, forward-thinking take on what a great library could be. A community hub. A shared space. A place for reading and innovation,” according to IFLA. “As a civic locus of resources where technology, sustainability, and cultural identity converge, Mesa Gateway Library feels both refreshingly new and timelessly rooted in its landscape.”
West Las Vegas Library (Nevada, United States)
West Las Vegas Library is “a model for community engagement, bringing inclusion, investment, and access in a neighborhood shaped by segregation and underinvestment,” IFLA said. “Intentionally shaped by its surroundings, the library is informed by the cultural heritage. Designed to perform efficiently in its harsh Mojave Desert climate, the LEED Silver-rated library achieved excellence with the design of an efficient envelope, infrastructure systems, recycled and low-VOC materials, and connection to daylight throughout the library.”
Xiong’An Library, Hebei Province, China
Xiong’An Library, Hebei Province, China “stands out as a major cultural landmark in a new up-and-coming area of Hebei Province in China,” IFLA said. “The library is currently one of the most technologically advanced libraries in China and is packed with next-generation technology, making it a high-tech cultural destination. Visitors can use one-stop self-service kiosks to check out and return books. The library is staffed by advanced humanoid service robots and intelligent book-sorting carts, creating a highly automated library experience.”