IFLA/Baker & Taylor Public Library of the Year Award 2025 announced
18 August 2025
Astana, Kazakhstan, 18 August 2025
Gabrielle-Roy Library has been named IFLA/Baker & Taylor Public Library of the Year 2025 at the 89th World Library and Information Congress, which is taking place in Astana, Kazakhstan. The winner stands out as an inspiring example of how to completely transform an existing library building with a strong community-centered approach as well as a wide range of sustainable features.
The Prize Jury was particularly impressed by how the renovation and expansion of Gabrielle Roy completely transforms the existing structure into a modern, inspiring library. It does so, while integrating a wide range of sustainable features and notably minimizing waste and reducing the need for new resource extraction by adapting the existing structure.
Designed by Saucier + Perrotte | GLCRM Architects Consortium, Gabrielle-Roy opened its doors in February 2024. Located in the heart of a cultural and economic district in Quebec, the Saint-Roch neighborhood, the library has become home to a diverse and dynamic community of users, which has drastically increased during the past years. The project’s community-centered approach to the library design has contributed strongly to the success of the new library.
The concept of ten thematic hubs distributed across the four levels of the library reflects the co-design process engaged in with the community that supports a range of valued services, programs, and collections. These spaces, such as Music and Cinema, Youth, and Cuisine, serve distinct functions, from providing immersive learning environments to offering spaces for relaxation and creativity. It is a true ‘third place’ adapted to its diverse and ever-changing community.
“This award is a source of great pride for all of us: City staff, project partners, and citizens” said Quebec City Mayor Bruno Marchand. The Gabrielle-Roy Library is certainly an exceptional building, but above all, it is a hub that makes culture accessible to as many people as possible, to the entire population, for generations to come. A place of learning and gathering, it reflects the creativity, spirit of collaboration and sense of community that define its neighborhood, Saint-Roch, and our city. It’s great if its innovative design and our and our people-centered approach can inspire the rest of the world.” — Mayor of Quebec, Bruno Marchand
Jury chair, Jakob Lærkes states:
This year’s three nominated libraries; Heping Library from China, New Canaan Library from the United States and Gabrielle-Roy Library from Canada are all part of a strong trend within library design, where we see more and more examples of architects and planners choosing to take on a more sustainable approach to library architecture by remodeling an existing building as their starting point instead of tearing down and built anew. They are all true role models of how transformation and the reuse of building materials can challenge our idea of what is a new library. Gabrielle-Roy Library’s strong community-centered approach has resulted in a library, that seems to fit its community perfectly.
Prize Sponsor Baker & Taylor Group President and CEO Amandeep Kochar states:
“Baker & Taylor is honored to sponsor the IFLA Public Library of the Year Award. This year’s winner and finalists are outstanding examples of the dynamic role libraries serve in their communities. We look forward to watching the impact these outstanding libraries have in the years to come.”
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About IFLA/Baker & Taylor Public Library of the Year Award
The Public Library of the Year award is presented by the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), in collaboration with Baker & Taylor, with the aim of paying tribute to new public libraries.
The award is presented to a library in any country worldwide which has excelled at combining open and functional architecture with creative IT solutions while at the same time involving digital technologies and local culture.
To qualify for the award, libraries must be newly built, have added a significant extension, or located in a building that has not previously been used as a library. The Public Library of the Year award comes with a cash prize of USD 5,000, which is sponsored by Baker & Taylor.