Winner

• The Duston School, Berrywood Road, Northampton.

The Duston School is a Business, Enterprise and Science Specialist College of 1,300 students. The school library, known as "The Hub", was praised by the judges for giving students "ownership of their own space and their own place. Funky furnishings, a bold colour scheme, creative space planning, natural and artificial lighting, effective acoustics and ever changing, motivating signage and graphics make The Hub a destination like no other."

The team from The Duston School were presented with their Award at the SLA's School Libraries Celebration Day in London by Brian Selznick, author and illustrator (Hugo).

This is the second year of the Award which aims to highlight the innovation, commitment, flair and foresight found in school libraries across the UK. Supported by the School Library Association and sponsored by Demco Interiors, the Award was created to set future standards for the recognition of excellence in school library design.

Scott Grant, General Manager of Demco Interiors, made "an impassioned plea to you to cajole your colleagues, friends and fellow professionals, who may be in the middle of the design process for their own library, to seriously consider supporting this award. It is all part of the long and intensive process of championing the library in today’s environment."

• Read Candy Gourlay's blog about the Awards

Profiles of the finalists

• The Duston School, Berrywood Road, Northampton
• Cheltenham College, Bath Road, Cheltenham
• Front Lawn Junior School, Broadmere Avenue, Havant

The finalists were selected by a panel who judged all entries across a set of criteria: inviting/improved library image; space planning; educational objectives; technology and engagement; consultation.

Presentations from the 2012 Library Design Award

Cheltenham College Presentation

The Duston School Presentation

Front Lawn Junior School Presentation

Press Releases

Read the full Press Release announcing the 2012 Library Design Award winner here:

SLDA 2012 Winner Press Release

PDF file, 511 kB

Requires Adobe Reader

Read the full Press Release announcing the 2012 Finalists here:

SLDA 2012 Finalists Press Release

PDF file, 958 kB

Requires Adobe Reader

To find out more about the SLA Library Design Awards, explore these pages:

• Full report of the 2011 Award and the winner: Rosendale Primary School, London
• Full background to the Library Design Awards

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