The world Public Library of the Year will be announced tonight, and Marrickville Library is one of the five finalists.
The announcement will be made at a live-streamed event by the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) president Christine Mackenzie during the IFLA annual congress.
The five finalists are:
• Marrickville Library, Australia
• Deichman Bjørvika - Oslo Public Library, Norway
• Het Predikheren, Belgium
• Ningbo New Library, China
• Forum Groningen, Holland
"This beautiful public facility is in fact more than a library, it's a new town square for Marrickville and is helping to bring the whole community together," said Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne.
"Win or lose, the nomination also demonstrates that Marrickville and the People's Republic of the Inner West is firmly on the global map as a great cultural destination.
"Having been recognised in 2020 as being in the top 10 coolest neighbourhoods in the planet, Marrickville is going from strength to strength, Mayor Byrne said.
"Marrickville Library is an inspiring space that has already gained national attention as one of the most stunning architecturally designed libraries in Australia having now won nine national architecture awards, three National Trust heritage awards and a NSW landscaping award," he added.
The IFLA nomination noted, "Marrickville Library, placed in a Sydney suburb, presents a beautiful adaptive reuse of an existing historical hospital building.
"The transformation from a hospital building to a vibrant new and modern library is closely developed with the local community.
"The library presents a strong focus on circular aspects of the building process - even bricks from demolished parts of the old hospital are reused."
