James Bennett Pty Limited

James Bennett Pty Limited ๐Ÿ“š Australiaโ€™s leading, local library supplier.
๐Ÿ”— https://linktr.ee/jamesbennettptyltd

Our strengths include our collective knowledge and decades-old relationships with local and overseas publishers and distributors, which allow us to offer the most comprehensive range of suitable library materials available worldwide, including maximum coverage of uniquely Australian content and materials. With competitive pricing, a flexible range of products and services including E-Resources and

other multimedia, professional supplier-aided selection, account management and book processing and cataloguing,we provide value-added services to libraries in this region.

Happy Book Week and Happy Reading!Yours,Two Bananas without Pyjamas, One Llama and an Arthur Dent WITH pyjamas, Fancy Na...
28/08/2026

Happy Book Week and Happy Reading!

Yours,
Two Bananas without Pyjamas, One Llama and an Arthur Dent WITH pyjamas, Fancy Nancy, Jane, Friend of Sarah and Duck; Scarf Lady, The Orchid Fairy, Frodo, Wednesday, Sherlock Holmes and Anne Shirley!

๐Ÿ† ๐“๐ก๐ž ๐›๐ž๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ง๐ž๐ฐ ๐ฉ๐ฎ๐›๐ฅ๐ข๐œ ๐ฅ๐ข๐›๐ซ๐š๐ซ๐ฒ ๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐ฐ๐จ๐ซ๐ฅ๐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐€๐ซ๐ข๐ณ๐จ๐ง๐š! The ๐Œ๐ž๐ฌ๐š ๐†๐š๐ญ๐ž๐ฐ๐š๐ฒ ๐‹๐ข๐›๐ซ๐š๐ซ๐ฒ has been named IFLA/James Bennettโ€™s P...
10/08/2026

๐Ÿ† ๐“๐ก๐ž ๐›๐ž๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ง๐ž๐ฐ ๐ฉ๐ฎ๐›๐ฅ๐ข๐œ ๐ฅ๐ข๐›๐ซ๐š๐ซ๐ฒ ๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐ฐ๐จ๐ซ๐ฅ๐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐€๐ซ๐ข๐ณ๐จ๐ง๐š!

The ๐Œ๐ž๐ฌ๐š ๐†๐š๐ญ๐ž๐ฐ๐š๐ฒ ๐‹๐ข๐›๐ซ๐š๐ซ๐ฒ has been named IFLA/James Bennettโ€™s Public Library of
the Year at the 90th World Library and Information Congress in Busan, South Korea.
Mesa Gateway Library is not just another new library building. It stands out as a
refreshing forward-thinking take on what a great library could be. A community hub. A shared space. A place for reading and innovation. Its pleated roof draws one in, creating a protective canopy in the Arizona desert landscape, that links distinct program areas and creates a welcoming civic refuge inside and out.

๐“’๐“ธ๐“ท๐“ฐ๐“ป๐“ช๐“ฝ๐“พ๐“ต๐“ช๐“ฝ๐“ฒ๐“ธ๐“ท๐“ผ!

Mesa Public Library IFLA - International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions

๐“๐ก๐ž ๐ฐ๐ข๐ง๐ง๐ž๐ซ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐›๐ž ๐š๐ง๐ง๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐œ๐ž๐ ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐ญ๐ก ๐€๐ฎ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ, ๐š๐ญ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐Ÿ—๐ŸŽ๐ญ๐ก ๐–๐จ๐ซ๐ฅ๐ ๐‹๐ข๐›๐ซ๐š๐ซ๐ฒ ๐š๐ง๐ ๐ˆ๐ง๐Ÿ๐จ๐ซ๐ฆ๐š๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐‚๐จ๐ง๐ ๐ซ๐ž๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐š๐ง, ๐’๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ก ๐Š๐จ๐ซ๐ž๐š.The s...
07/08/2026

๐“๐ก๐ž ๐ฐ๐ข๐ง๐ง๐ž๐ซ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐›๐ž ๐š๐ง๐ง๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐œ๐ž๐ ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐ญ๐ก ๐€๐ฎ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ, ๐š๐ญ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐Ÿ—๐ŸŽ๐ญ๐ก ๐–๐จ๐ซ๐ฅ๐ ๐‹๐ข๐›๐ซ๐š๐ซ๐ฒ ๐š๐ง๐ ๐ˆ๐ง๐Ÿ๐จ๐ซ๐ฆ๐š๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐‚๐จ๐ง๐ ๐ซ๐ž๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐š๐ง, ๐’๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ก ๐Š๐จ๐ซ๐ž๐š.

The shortlisted libraries (in alphabetical order) are:

Library+ Caloundra, Sunshine Coast, Australia
Mesa Gateway Library, Arizona, United States
West Las Vegas Library, Nevada, United States
Xiongโ€™An Library, Hebei Province, China

Las Vegas-Clark County Library District Mesa Public Library Sunshine Coast Libraries

Congratulations!! ๐Ÿฅ‚๐ŸŽŠ๐ŸŽ‰  ALIA Victoria Group - Congratulations to the 2026 VLIA shortlist! There was a truly outstanding f...
24/07/2026

Congratulations!! ๐Ÿฅ‚๐ŸŽŠ๐ŸŽ‰

ALIA Victoria Group - Congratulations to the 2026 VLIA shortlist!

There was a truly outstanding field of nominations this year, highlighting the innovation, leadership and impact of library and information professionals across Victoria.

This year our shortlist is:

๐Ÿ“š James Baker AALIA (DCP) โ€“ Melbourne Athenaeum Library (Melbourne Athenรฆum Library)
๐Ÿ“š Joey Chung AALIA (CP) โ€“ Holmesglen Institute
๐Ÿ“š Helen Farch ALIATec (CP) โ€“ Forest Hill College Library

Representing school, TAFE and special libraries, this yearโ€™s finalists showcase the breadth of talent and dedication across the profession. As the judging panel noted, the exceptional quality of nominations reflects the strength, connection and achievements of Victoriaโ€™s library sector.

Read the full announcement at ๐Ÿ”— in bio w

โ‹†โœด๏ธŽหš๏ฝกโ‹† ๐๐‹๐Ž๐“๐˜ ๐’๐ก๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ” ๐’๐ฉ๐จ๐ญ๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ: Xiong'An Library (Hebei Province, China) โ‹†โœด๏ธŽหš๏ฝกโ‹† ๐—๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ โ€™๐€๐ง ๐‹๐ข๐›๐ซ๐š๐ซ๐ฒ stands out as a ...
24/07/2026

โ‹†โœด๏ธŽหš๏ฝกโ‹† ๐๐‹๐Ž๐“๐˜ ๐’๐ก๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ” ๐’๐ฉ๐จ๐ญ๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ: Xiong'An Library (Hebei Province, China) โ‹†โœด๏ธŽหš๏ฝกโ‹†

๐—๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ โ€™๐€๐ง ๐‹๐ข๐›๐ซ๐š๐ซ๐ฒ stands out as a major cultural landmark in a new up-and-coming area of Hebei Provence in China. The library showcases how to use cultural institutions as a successful part of community development with over 100.000 visits in the first months after opening and developing services and programs to attract the growing community of the area.

The library covers a total floor area of about 68,000 square meters, taking inspiration from traditional Chinese architecture with horizontally stretched roofs, a solid base, and an upright main body. Inspired by ancient Chinese bamboo slips, its exterior facade is fitted with an intelligent sunshade system.

Xiongโ€™An Library consists of two underground floors for supporting functions and seven above-ground floors. The library offers an impressive variety of reading facilities for all age groups and needs. On the seventh floor a sky terrace presents a full panoramic view of Xiongan as well as different spaces for leisure and activity as well as cultural gatherings. Enabling an almost seamless integration between the building and urban public spaces.

The library is currently one of the most technologically advanced libraries in China and is packed with next-generation technology, making it a high-tech cultural destination. Visitors can use one-stop self-service kiosks to check out and return books. The library is staffed by advanced humanoid service robots and intelligent book-sorting carts, creating a highly automated library experience.

As the first city-level public cultural service institution in the Xiongโ€™An New Area, it serves as a central pillar in the region's broader goal to become a highly sustainable and high-tech "city of the futureโ€.

๐€๐ซ๐œ๐ก๐ข๐ญ๐ž๐œ๐ญ๐ฌ: Tianjin University General Institute of Architecture Design and Planning

IFLA - International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions

โ‹†โœด๏ธŽหš๏ฝกโ‹†  ๐๐‹๐Ž๐“๐˜ ๐’๐ก๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ” ๐’๐ฉ๐จ๐ญ๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ: West Las Vegas Library (NV, United States) โ‹†โœด๏ธŽหš๏ฝกโ‹† ๐–๐ž๐ฌ๐ญ ๐‹๐š๐ฌ ๐•๐ž๐ ๐š๐ฌ ๐‹๐ข๐›๐ซ๐š๐ซ๐ฒ is a mo...
17/07/2026

โ‹†โœด๏ธŽหš๏ฝกโ‹† ๐๐‹๐Ž๐“๐˜ ๐’๐ก๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ” ๐’๐ฉ๐จ๐ญ๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ: West Las Vegas Library (NV, United States) โ‹†โœด๏ธŽหš๏ฝกโ‹†

๐–๐ž๐ฌ๐ญ ๐‹๐š๐ฌ ๐•๐ž๐ ๐š๐ฌ ๐‹๐ข๐›๐ซ๐š๐ซ๐ฒ is a model for community engagement, bringing inclusion, investment, and access in a neighbourhood shaped by segregation and underinvestment. Intentionally shaped by its surroundings, the library is informed by the cultural heritage, community identity, and evolving urban context of the Historic Westside.

The architectural concept of the building is expressed across a variety of scales. Its public entrance and plazas draw inspiration from the tradition of the front porch prevalent in the American south and, in particular, in African American communities. As a place of connection and social exchange, the โ€œporchโ€ creates a meaningful bridge between home, neighbourhood, and civic life. Shaded courtyards, outdoor seating, and an outdoor event plaza extend library activity into the public realm, forming an inviting threshold that welcomes visitors of all ages.

Inside, program zones for youth, teens, adults, and makerspaces are intentionally arranged to create synergy between quiet study, creative exploration, and community gathering. A Business Incubation Centre, Conference spaces, and its unique 340 square meter flexible โ€œEvent Centreโ€ deliver resources and state-of-the-art programming with professional grade audiovisual systems, livestreaming capabilities, and advanced networked technologies.

Designed to perform efficiently in its harsh Mojave Desert climate, the LEED Silver-rated library achieved excellence with the design of an efficient envelope, infrastructure systems, recycled and low VOC materials, and connection to daylight throughout the library.

The result is a vibrant two-story community centre for learning, creativity, and connection for service now and for future generations.

๐€๐ซ๐œ๐ก๐ข๐ญ๐ž๐œ๐ญ๐ฌ: KME Architects/Moody Nolan

Las Vegas-Clark County Library District IFLA - International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions

โ‹†โœด๏ธŽหš๏ฝกโ‹†  ๐๐‹๐Ž๐“๐˜ ๐’๐ก๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ” ๐’๐ฉ๐จ๐ญ๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ: Mesa Gateway Library (AZ, United States) โ‹†โœด๏ธŽหš๏ฝกโ‹† ๐Œ๐ž๐ฌ๐š ๐†๐š๐ญ๐ž๐ฐ๐š๐ฒ ๐‹๐ข๐›๐ซ๐š๐ซ๐ฒ is not just...
10/07/2026

โ‹†โœด๏ธŽหš๏ฝกโ‹† ๐๐‹๐Ž๐“๐˜ ๐’๐ก๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ” ๐’๐ฉ๐จ๐ญ๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ: Mesa Gateway Library (AZ, United States) โ‹†โœด๏ธŽหš๏ฝกโ‹†

๐Œ๐ž๐ฌ๐š ๐†๐š๐ญ๐ž๐ฐ๐š๐ฒ ๐‹๐ข๐›๐ซ๐š๐ซ๐ฒ is not just another new library building. It stands out as a refreshing forward-thinking take on what a great library could be. A community hub. A shared space. A place for reading and innovation. Its pleated roof draws one in, creating a protective canopy in the Arizona desert landscape, that links distinct program areas and creates a welcoming civic refuge inside and out.

Like a modern Roman Forum, the parti takes inspiration from market halls from around the world, connecting different activity zones under a unifying sculptural cover. A vibrant interactive digital art display wall welcomes visitors, fostering a communal atmosphere where technology and cultural identity converge.

Inside, its structure balances lightness and permanence. Flexible zones of use support changing patterns of learning and engagement with choices for all ages. The open layout maximizes synergies among the discrete zones with resources for adults, teens, and children, maker and multi-purpose spaces, individual study and collaborative workspace, and technology-enabled study environments.

Sustainable choices and connection to its desert site were achieved with material choices, efficient building systems, daylighting and shading, and open views to nature. On the south side of the building, a shaded reading patio overlooks the lake and adjacent park, providing outdoor space for reading, studying, and gatherings.
As a civic locus of resources where technology, sustainability, and cultural identity converge, Mesa Gateway Library feels both refreshingly new and timelessly rooted in its landscape.

๐€๐ซ๐œ๐ก๐ข๐ญ๐ž๐œ๐ญ๐ฌ: Richรคrd Kennedy Architects

Mesa Public Library IFLA - International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions

โ‹†โœด๏ธŽหš๏ฝกโ‹†  ๐๐‹๐Ž๐“๐˜ ๐’๐ก๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ” ๐’๐ฉ๐จ๐ญ๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ: Library+ Caloundra (QLD, Australia) โ‹†โœด๏ธŽหš๏ฝกโ‹†๐‹๐ข๐›๐ซ๐š๐ซ๐ฒ+ ๐‚๐š๐ฅ๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐ซ๐š is a strong and vis...
03/07/2026

โ‹†โœด๏ธŽหš๏ฝกโ‹† ๐๐‹๐Ž๐“๐˜ ๐’๐ก๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ” ๐’๐ฉ๐จ๐ญ๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ: Library+ Caloundra (QLD, Australia) โ‹†โœด๏ธŽหš๏ฝกโ‹†

๐‹๐ข๐›๐ซ๐š๐ซ๐ฒ+ ๐‚๐š๐ฅ๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐ซ๐š is a strong and visionary demonstration of how skilful adaptive reuse can transform a vacant 1990โ€™s civic structure into a high performing state-of-the-art civic hub and community asset. The design integrated new transparency, balancing solar performance with visual connections, allowing the libraryโ€™s activities to project outward and invite community participation.

By repurposing the existing structure, the project is a sustainable inspiration on how strategic reuse can deliver inclusive and sustainable social infrastructure. And the sustainable approach does not stop there. Boasting an Australian 6 Star Green Star design rating, Library+ Caloundra focused on energy efficiency, water conservation, indoor environmental quality, and operational performance. Energy-efficient systems, solar panels, and battery storage capable of supporting the buildingโ€™s energy needs, deliver excess power back into the communityโ€™s power grid.

The name Library+ Caloundra fits the building perfectly. It is a library. But so much more. The facility gently draws people in from the street into a shaded, outdoor extension of the building. Diverse flexible spaces provide for learning and social connection with expanded learning environments, enabling broader programming, co creation, and engagement across all demographics.

Stepping into the foyer reveals a striking two-story void, that visually connects the first two levels. Once inside, visitors find creative spaces, digital studios, meeting rooms, lounge spaces, quiet study zones, a locally operated cafรฉ, and a dedicated childrenโ€™s library featuring a STEM wall and play spaces adjacent to indoor and outdoor family program areas.

The adaptive reuse project for Library+ Caloundra demonstrates how circular economy principles can consolidate multiple community services into one valued central community hub.

๐€๐ซ๐œ๐ก๐ข๐ญ๐ž๐œ๐ญ๐ฌ: Wilson Architects

Sunshine Coast Libraries IFLA - International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions

18/06/2026

๐Ÿ“œ ๐๐‹๐Ž๐“๐˜ ๐’๐ก๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ” ๐Ÿ“œ

New sponsor James Bennett and IFLA are delighted to announce the shortlist for the IFLA/James Bennett Public Library of the Year Award 2026.

This year attracted a strong field of ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ— ๐š๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐ข๐œ๐š๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐Ÿ๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐Ÿ— ๐œ๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐ž๐ฌ and following a rigorous evaluation process, the jury has shortlisted four outstanding libraries for this year's award.

The shortlisted libraries, listed in alphabetical order, are:

โ€ข ๐˜“๐˜ช๐˜ฃ๐˜ณ๐˜ข๐˜ณ๐˜บ+ ๐˜Š๐˜ข๐˜ญ๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฅ๐˜ณ๐˜ข, Sunshine Coast, Australia
โ€ข ๐˜”๐˜ฆ๐˜ด๐˜ข ๐˜Ž๐˜ข๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ธ๐˜ข๐˜บ ๐˜“๐˜ช๐˜ฃ๐˜ณ๐˜ข๐˜ณ๐˜บ, Arizona, United States
โ€ข ๐˜ž๐˜ฆ๐˜ด๐˜ต ๐˜“๐˜ข๐˜ด ๐˜๐˜ฆ๐˜จ๐˜ข๐˜ด ๐˜“๐˜ช๐˜ฃ๐˜ณ๐˜ข๐˜ณ๐˜บ, Nevada, United States
โ€ข ๐˜Ÿ๐˜ช๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ๐˜จโ€™๐˜ˆ๐˜ฏ ๐˜“๐˜ช๐˜ฃ๐˜ณ๐˜ข๐˜ณ๐˜บ, Hebei Province, China

The award celebrates excellence in public library design, innovation and community impact, recognising the most inspiring new public libraries completed during 2025.

The shortlisted libraries will be showcased at the 90th World Library and Information Congress in Busan, South Korea, on 10 August 2026. The winning library will receive a prize of USD $5,000 and international recognition as the IFLA/James Bennett Public Library of the Year 2026.

Sunshine Coast Libraries Mesa Public Library Las Vegas-Clark County Library District

Address

Unit 3, 114 Old Pittwater Road
Sydney, NSW
2100

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