AIA/ALA Library Building Award
Honors the best in library architecture and design.
This program is not accepting submissions at this time. Information on future application opening and deadline dates will be posted on AIA Awards FAQ as available.
Honoring the best in library architecture & design
Libraries are more than learning centers—they’re also enduring examples of architectural excellence. Every year, the AIA is proud to partner with the American Library Association/Library Leadership and Management Association to honor the best in library architecture and design.
The AIA/ALA Library Building Award is the only award that recognizes entire library structures and all aspects of their design.
Questions? Email AIA Awards
The award is open to all types of libraries that permit public access.
The library must be in service before entry and completed no earlier than January 1, 2018.
Any architect licensed in the United States may enter.
New construction, renovations, restorations, conversion to library use, and interior redesign and refurbishing are eligible.
Projects may be located anywhere in the world.
Fee: Single project submissions are $450 each. Submitting the same project to additional award categories costs an extra $100 per category.
Application Components
Extensive information on the materials required to submit an application is housed in the AIA online application portal. Please reference the information in this portal when the program is receiving materials for the 2026 season.
Review Criteria
All projects must demonstrate design achievement, including a sense of place and purpose, of ecology and environmental sustainability, and of history.
The jury evaluates entries based on how successfully projects have met their individual requirements. Entries are judged individually—not in competition with each other.
For information on 2025 recipients of this award program visit our awards management portal.
Recipients of this award from 2024 and 2023 can be found at AIA award winners. For previous recipients please contact AIA Archives.
Explore the winners of the AIA/ALA Library Building Award 2025, recognizing the best projects in library architecture and design.
