AusLeisure

Housed in the city’s PHIVE building, Parramatta’s new library is one of four global finalists for the Public Library of the Year award.

The award recognises new public libraries offering functional architecture, creative IT solutions and that are strengthening local culture.

The four finalists for IFLA Public Library of the Year are:

• Parramatta Library at PHIVE in Australia
• Public Library Janez Vajkard Valvasor in Slovenia
• Gabriel García Márquez Library in Spain
• Shanghai Library East in China.

Parramatta Library occupies two floors of PHIVE, the City’s community, cultural and civic hub at 5 Parramatta Square.

PHIVE was designed by French firm Manuelle Gautrand Architecture in conjunction with Australian firms DesignInc and Lacoste + Stevenson.

PHIVE is one of Australia’s first carbon neutral buildings, setting a new standard for public spaces.

Lord Mayor Sameer Pandey said Parramatta would be up against new libraries in Slovenia, Spain and China and added “Since opening its doors last September, Parramatta Library at PHIVE has become a much-loved cultural hub for people of all ages – a community and cultural hub that is now rightly recognised as world-class.

“Our library is home to more than 65,000 books and importantly celebrates so many local stories. However, it’s more than just a place to read with creative and maker spaces, exhibition spaces and a packed program of learning experiences making it a place for inspiration, discovery and connection.

“Great global cities need great cultural hubs and our library is one of them.

“Its connection to Parramatta Square has created an urban loungeroom for our City – a place where the community can come together, create, collaborate and learn. These awards will shine a global spotlight on just how special it is.”

The winner of Public Library of the Year will be announced in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, on 21^st August.

Image top: Library; Image centre: Level 1 includes a dedicated children’s space, with a large kids book collection and plenty of space to stretch their imaginations; image above exterior of PHIVE building

Related Articles

27th September 2022 - Official opening for City of Parramatta’s new library, cultural centre and council chambers

5th May 2022 - Phive nears completion in Parramatta

3rd June 2023 - Concept design revealed for Christchurch’s new South Library and Service Centre

22nd May 2023 - Plants thriving on Auckland’s Central City library roof top

12th April 2023 - Sugar Valley Library Museum a first for the NSW Hunter Region

18th January 2023 - Penrith City Library develops draft five year strategy

2nd December 2022 - Turanga library in Christchurch pilots sensory hour

27th April 2022 - Wellington Library Outdoor Living Room officially opens

28th January 2022 - Shire of Moorabool secures funding for new library, gallery and community hub in Ballan

15th October 2021 - Broken Hill City Council secures funding for new library and archives

12th May 2021 - State Library Victoria reveals permanent exhibition to the public

4th May 2021 - Curtin University’s TL Robertson Library to be upgraded for 50th anniversary

15th February 2021 - Planning of Central Coast’s first Regional Library moves forward

11th November 2020 - Penrith City Library launches free app to provide members with easy access

5th December 2019 - State Library Victoria reveals $88.1million redevelopment

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.