On October 7, 2024 (GMT+2), Beijing Library stood out among 16 libraries from 10 countries and won the IFLA/Baker & Taylor Public Library of the Year Award 2024. This marks the first time that China has claimed the world's highest honor for public libraries.

Beijing Library won IFLA/Baker & Taylor Public Library of the Year Award 2024.

Founded in 1927, IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions) stands as the most authoritative and influential international professional organization in the library sector. The jury of IFLA was particularly impressed by the architectural design of Beijing Library as the world's largest single-building reading space, which seamlessly integrates books, people and nature in a creative way. The library is also energy-efficient and environmentally friendly, as it reduces the building's carbon footprint to the greatest extent through technological means.

The outdoor view of Beijing Library

The stepped terrace reading space

Since its opening over nine months ago, Beijing Library has received significant praise from readers and recorded over 3.25 million visits. On average, every reader spent 2.5 hours in the library so far. About 10 percent of the readers stayed for over 6.5 hours. Furthermore, the library has hosted a total of 1,123 online and offline reading promotion activities, attracting over 12.22 million participants.

(Source: Beijing Daily App)