The award celebrates libraries that inspire local communities to engage in reading and the services offered by their local libraries.
Lewisham Libraries was recognised for targeting specific niches and passions in books, capitalising on the current boom in fantasy to create the Imagined Worlds festival.
This series of events celebrated sci-fi and fantasy, resulting in new membership figures increasing by 42 per cent compared to the year before.
Philip Jones, editor of The Bookseller and chair of the judges for The British Book Awards, said: “I’ve loved every minute of the Library of the Year award so far, from the planning to the launch, and now selecting these ten winners.
“That there are joint-winners, and four high commendations speaks to the tough decisions the judges had to make.
“It’s the libraries and library authorities that do the hard work though, we are just there to support them, and amplify what they do to encourage and develop readers and reading.”
The award, sponsored by publisher DK and run in association with The Reading Agency, celebrates libraries that inspire local communities to engage in reading and the services offered by their local libraries.
Karen Napier MBE, CEO of The Reading Agency, said: “This year’s applications for Library of the Year have been exceptional, showcasing the ingenuity and innovation which libraries harness every day to reach new audiences.
“However, the regional and country winners stood out for their creativity and impact.
“From large-scale authority-wide events, programming with diverse local partners, to careful and targeted initiatives like a book club for adults with Down syndrome, these winners exemplify the power of libraries to engage communities in meaningful ways.
“As community anchor organisations, the crucial role of libraries’ local partners in delivering these activities shone through, and the shortlisted libraries showed what the lasting legacy of their projects would look like locally.”
Other winners included Hertfordshire Libraries in East England, Mullingar Library in the Island of Ireland, Stratford-upon-Avon and Alcester Libraries in the Midlands, Manchester Libraries in North England, Midlothian Library Service in Scotland, Winchester Library and West Sussex County Council Library Service in South-East England, Braunton Library in South-West England, and Awen Cultural Trust in Wales.
The overall regional and country winner of the Library of the Year award will be revealed during The British Book Awards ceremony at Grosvenor House on Monday, May 12, 2025.
