The triennial SCONUL Library Design Awards showcase and celebrate the very best in recent UK and Ireland academic library design. The 2025 Awards, for projects that were completed between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2023, for the first time included a new category for service design alongside the category for library spaces.  

The winners were announced at the SCONUL Autumn Conference on Wednesday 19 November and you can read the full press release here.

Winner of the service design category

London South Bank University for its clear alignment between the library’s services and the institutional strategy, with the library demonstrating impressive leadership in terms of advocacy and influence at university level.

Winner of the library spaces category

Lancaster University for it's thoughtfully designed space and versatile environment, offering an inspirational model due to its inclusive design and positive stakeholder feedback.

Highly commended

The University of Limerick received a highly commended recognition for its library spaces.  The library has a strong sense of service, continuously finding ways to improve stakeholders’ experiences. Elements such as the digital makerspace floor are highly flexible and student-led, fostering experimentation with technology, making it a standout feature in the library’s design.

The Victoria & Albert Museum received a highly commended recognition for its library spaces. The V&A's approach was innovative, with the library space well-integrated with the museum, making the collections accessible in various ways, linking back to exhibitions and events.