ALA/IIDA Library Interior Design Awards

ALA/IIDA Library Interior Design Awards honors excellence in library interior design and promoting examples of extraordinary design reflected through innovative concepts across nine categories. The ALA (American Library Association)/IIDA Library Interior Design Awards celebrates those who make reading—and learning—fun. This is a biennial competition established in 2006, and taking place in even years.

Who Should Submit?
This award is open to any interior designer, interior architect, or architect with library interior design projects in the design phase or completed in the last two (2) calendar years.

Why Should I Apply?
Enter for the chance to have your work evaluated by world-renowned interior designers and architects like Fiona Grandowski, IIDA, AIA; Jeannette Lenear Peruchini; and Stasia Suleiman, IIDA. Projects are judged on excellence in aesthetics, design, creativity, and function as well as the suitability of the design solution to the project challenge and the successful integration of the elements of design.

Winners and their clients will be honored at the annual ALA Annual Conference with a special winner’s celebration. Winning projects will be published in the American Libraries magazine, on IIDA.org, and in an official press release distributed to leading industry outlets and media partners.

When
This award is open biennially in even years, January through April. 2024 winners have been awarded and celebrated at the Annual ALA Conference. Check back in January of 2026 for more information about the next biennial competition.

For questions or more information, contact IIDA Design Competitions Manager Veronica Whitaker at competitions@iida.org.

2026 ALA/IIDA Library Interior Design Awards Celebration

2026 Best of Competition

Bright art classroom with children and two adults at long tables, colorful abstract mural on wall, pendant bulbs and yellow ceiling reels. — Cedar Park Library by Lake Flato Architects

Photos by Lara Swimmer Photography

Bright wooden community playroom with high beamed ceiling, neon sun decor, green play stairs where children climb and adults supervise. — Photos by Lara Swimmer Photography

A sunlit reading nook with green window seat and circular alcove where a child climbs while a man reads, pendant lights overhead. — Photos by Lara Swimmer Photography

Sunlit modern library lobby with tall glass wall, wooden curved welcome desk, staircase to mezzanine, visitors walking and a woman at desk. — Photos by Lara Swimmer Photography

Contemporary study lounge with tall slatted wood wall, hanging round lights, glass staircase, large windows and people on sofas. — Photos by Lara Swimmer Photography

Sunlit two-story library with warm wood ceiling, mezzanine balcony, floating central staircase, round pendant lights and seating clusters. — Photos by Lara Swimmer Photography

1 / 6

Sarah Doriani
Principal
LJC

A middle-aged woman with light brown shoulder-length hair in a navy blouse and small earrings, smiling softly against a gray background. — **Linda Kopecky**
Librarian III, Associate Dean
University Libraries at University of Nevada

Smiling fair-skinned woman with shoulder-length blonde hair wearing a black long-sleeve top, head tilted slightly against a pale background. — **Emily Stampanato**
Principal, Commercial Market Leader
CannonDesign

View the 2024 ALA/IIDA Library Interior Design Award winning projects here
View the 2022 ALA/IIDA Library Interior Design Award winning projects here

Sign up for Designed for Excellence, the bi-weekly newsletter dedicated to IIDA competitions and awards updates, plus news on events, celebrations, and award-winning design projects.

For questions and more information regarding IIDA Design Awards and Competitions, please contact competitions@iida.org.

Submission Open	Monday, January 12, 2026
Submission Closed	Monday, April 06, 2026