The awards were announced this week at the conclusion of IFLA’s 90th World Library and Information Congress, in Busan, South Korea.

By Andrew Richard Albanese, Editor-in-Chief

The Gateway Library (Mesa, Arizona, U.S.A.) was named the IFLA/James Bennett Public Library of the Year at the 90th World Library and Information Congress, which closed this week in Busan, South Korea, while the Rami Library (Istanbul, Turkiye) took home the 2026 IFLA Green Library Grand Scale Project Award, for its transformation of a 19th Century historic barracks into a “climate-resilient urban commons.”

The IFLA Public Library of the Year 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.” Starting this year, Australia-based library supplier James Bennett has taken over sponsorship from U.S.-based Baker & Taylor after the company’s sudden collapse late last year.

The Mesa Public Library’s Gateway Library beat out three other finalists, shortlisted in July, including Library+ Caloundra (Sunshine Coast, Australia); the West Las Vegas Library (Nevada, United States); and the Xiong’An Library, Hebei Province, China.

Designed by Richärd Kennedy Architects, the Gateway Library “takes inspiration from market halls from around the world,” IFLA reps said, fostering “a communal atmosphere where technology and cultural identity converge.”

In a release, Jury Chair, Jakob Lærkes congratulated the entire Mesa Gateway Library team, the team at Richärd Kennedy Architects, and the community in Mesa, Arizona. Lærkes said all the shortlisted libraries presented in Busan represented “refreshing” trends in libraries, and said the Mesa Gateway Library serves as a true role model: “architecturally pleasing, well organized, both inside and out,” and “strong on sustainability.”

In awarding the Rami Library in Istanbul First prize in the “large scale project” category of the 2026 IFLA Green Library Awards, IFLA celebrated the remarkable transformation of a 19th-century military barracks into a stunning, world class, environmentally resilient library.

The Rami Library was chosen from more than 60 entrants submitted from some 27 countries. Second place went to the Jinjiang Library, China, and third place went to Munster Technological University, in Tralee, Ireland.

The Rami Library is truly extraordinary. First built in 1826 as a military complex, the structure was reopened as a library in January 2023, and according to the Rami Library’s website, it is now “the largest library complex in Europe,” featuring a collection of “millions of volumes” as well as “special libraries and common areas that cater to readers of all ages,” all while retaining its historic and cultural identity.  Among its green features, the library complex includes thousands of square meters of green space includes state-of-the-art sustainability features throughout, including the reuse of rainwater.

Now in its 11th year, IFLA’s Green Library Awards are administered by the organization’s Environment, Sustainability and Libraries Section (ENSULIB). The 2026 Award was sponsored by Library Juice Academy and De Gruyter Publishing.

In addition to the Rami Library’s win in the large project category, IFLA also awarded a 2026 Green Library Project Award to the CEDREAC library in Cantabria, Spain. Second prize went to the Yonghak Library, in Daegu, South Korea, and two third place winners were named: the Lien Ying Chow Library at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore; and Parque Villa-Lobos Library, São Paulo, Brazil. A “Special Recognition” sponsored by de Gruyter was also given to the Library, Document Management, and Museology Services of the University of Aveiro, Portugal.