The Worldwide Federation of Library Associations and Establishments (IFLA) is a company present in Scotland in 1927, and it’s thought-about the “international voice of the library and data occupation.” Annually, they announce a The Public Library of the Yr at their annual convention, recognizing a brand new library that “finest combines open, purposeful structure with artistic IT options and likewise takes into consideration each digital developments and native tradition.”
This 12 months, the 5 finalists had been:
Marrickville Library (Australia)
Deichman Bjørvika – Oslo Public Library (Norway)
Het Predikheren (Belgium)
Ningbo New Library (China)
Discussion board Groningen (The Netherlands)
On August nineteenth, on the IFLA World Library and Worldwide Congress, the winner was introduced as… Deichman Bjørvika in Oslo! Jury chair Jakob Lærkes defined,
[T]he worldwide jury was notably impressed by how the constructing combines environmental consciousness with architectural aptitude. The library is a brand new paradise for books and studying, whereas incorporating superior technological options. Deichman Bjørvika reveals how libraries can perform as establishments that deliver folks collectively in cities, cities and native communities.
The superior technological options referenced embody a complicated guide sorting machine, liberating up extra employees to work with patrons instantly. It’s 6 tales tall, with 13,500 sq. meters of floorspace, and holds 450,000 totally different supplies.
The constructing features a restaurant, café, cinema, and auditorium. The second flooring is for kids, together with plenty of area to discover and settings for imaginative play known as Wonderland. Youngsters can create their very own tales with a Digital Bookcase, make stop-motion movies, or play interactive video games. There’s even a studying web, the place youngsters can sprawl out with a guide whereas wanting via the online to the ground beneath.
The third flooring is a workshop, with 3D printers, stitching machines and studios to permit patrons to create artwork with out having to put money into pricy gear. The quieter research areas are on the highest flooring.
You could find out extra about this revolutionary library on Deichman Bjørvika’s web site.
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