MPL Wins International Library of the Year Award

Today the International Federation of Library Associations World Congress in Dublin, Ireland announced that Missoula Public Library is the Public Library of 2022. This award is presented to a newly designed library in any country which has excelled at combining open and sustainable architecture with IT solutions, learning technologies, and local culture and landscape. Missoula Public Library’s downtown flagship, created by Minneapolis-based MSR Design and Montana’s A&E Design, and opened in July 2021, is the first library in North America to win this prestigious award—besting libraries in Denmark, Latvia, and Saudi Arabia. The award comes with $5000 (USD) in prize-money, sponsored by Danish software company Systematic, which the Library will use for expansion of future community engagement efforts.

IFLA jury chair Jakob Guillois Lærkes: “This year’s field of nominated libraries is particularly strong, and reveals the breadth of scope within new library buildings. From large and impressive prestige buildings to innovative and sustainable solutions and smaller local meeting venues. But Missoula Public Library has it all. The building stands out for its beautiful architecture that pays homage to the surrounding landscape while offering a wealth of possibilities and serving as a meeting place for the community. It’s a library that you would relish having in your own local area. It’s a library built for the future.”

MPL Executive Director Slaven Lee: “This Library of the Year award belongs to our entire community, and is a reflection of the incredible investment Missoulians have made in library excellence and lifelong learning—a legacy that will be admired and enjoyed for generations to come.”

Learn more about the award and its criteria

Watch the video about MPL presented at the World Library and Information Congress in Dublin, Ireland

Hear MPL executive director Slaven Lee discuss the award on MTPR