Shellharbour City Library has been shortlisted for the 2019 Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) Library Design Awards.
 
The prestigious awards recognise some of the best new library designs in Australia. There are three categories: Academic Libraries, Public Libraries and School Libraries.
 
Shellharbour’s City Library is one of four libraries shortlisted in the public libraries category, and the only one in NSW.
 
Shellharbour City Mayor Marianne Saliba said news of the library being shortlisted was a reflection of Council’s investment in the community and the innovative approach to create a special ‘community lounge’ room.
 
“I am exceptionally proud that Shellharbour City Library has been shortlisted for these awards. To know that our library is considered among the best in Australia is fantastic,” Cr Saliba said.
 
She noted the community’s positive response to the new library had been extraordinary.
 
“The new library opened its doors in January 2018 and it has grown the member base significantly with over 4000 new members joining during the first year at City Library alone,” Cr Saliba said.
 
“In its first year City Library has recorded over 140,000 visits, while more than 205,000 items have been loaned to customers enjoying the new venue.
 
“During 2018 more than 600 program sessions were delivered, attracting over 12,000 participants,” Cr Saliba said.
 
City Library opened in January 2018 as the centrepiece of the new Shellharbour Civic Centre. It offers 2000 square metres of vibrant library space at ground level, open seven days.
 
The library features contemporary collection areas, a playful children’s area, spectacular balcony, technology access, meeting and program rooms and a dynamic range of seating options for reading, studying or lounging.
 
The winners and highly commended entries will be announced at the State Library of Queensland on 14 March 2019, as part of a one-day conference defining the best in contemporary library design in Australian and worldwide.
 
For more information about the awards, including a gallery of all the nominations and a full listing of the shortlisted libraries, visit https://www.alia.org.au/awards/library-design-awards-2019.
 
Media enquiries: Kelli Wells 0448 361 008.