Oak Grove Library (Kaunas County Public Library), located at Radastų g. 2, has already attracted numerous visitors who enjoy its renovated spaces and services, and it has even gained international recognition after reopening in January 2024 following modernization. Recently, it was named one of the four finalists for the prestigious International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Baker Taylor ‘Best Public Library of the Year’ award for 2024.
This year, sixteen libraries from ten different countries around the world competed for the award, making it a highly competitive field. After a long and rigorous judging process, the IFLA jury selected four contenders that stood out for their innovative solutions in architecture, sustainability and cultural inclusion. Oak Library was one of them, along with Australia’s Yellamundie Library and Gallery and China’s Beijing and North Shenzhen Libraries.
Jakob Lærkes (Denmark), chairman of the jury panel, noted:
“The Public Library of the Year award is all about paying tribute to role models, and each of the four nominated libraries stands out as libraries of the future. It is impressive to see the different take on how to respond to the changing needs of the user, sustainability as a more and more important factor, when we build new libraries as well as different takes on how to create welcoming reading and learning spaces for the local communities. The jury and I believe that each of the four nominated libraries are examples to follow.”
Edita Urbonavičienė, director of Oak Grove Library, is delighted with the institution’s nomination and hopes that this achievement will inspire other library creators and leaders around the world:
“It is an astounding recognition and a great honor to be among the top four libraries in the world alongside libraries from Australia and China. We come from a small country, and when modernizing a worn-out, Soviet-era building, we faced many challenges with limited financial resources. Our secret is a strong vision and belief in what we are doing. We are creating a library for respite and respiration, inviting people to work, learn, socialize, discover, explore, and immerse themselves in intellectual adventures and experiences. We are incredibly proud and eagerly await the final results.”
Minister of Culture Simonas Kairys congratulates the library community and encourages them to continue creating:
“I am pleased that Oak Grove Library has received international recognition as one of the most innovative public libraries in the world. This recognition is truly well-deserved. Oak Grove Library is more than just a repository of books; it is all about the reader and visitor. It is also an excellent tourism attraction, thanks to its architectural solutions and respect for valuable authentic details, preserving them while creating cozy, modern spaces and services that meet users’ needs. This achievement is a great example of how modernization can unlock new opportunities for the dissemination of culture and strengthening of communities.”
The winner of the “Public Library of the Year” award will be announced on October 7, 2024, at the international conference “Public Libraries and Democracy” in Barcelona, Spain. This award not only highlights the importance of innovation and cultural value but also provides an opportunity for libraries to share their success stories with the international community.
For more information about the competition and other candidates, click the link.
