For immediate release | September 1, 2026

2026 Library Design Showcase recognizes 15 library construction and restoration projects

CHICAGO - American Libraries, the flagship magazine of the American Library Association, features 15 new and renovated libraries in its 2026 Library Design Showcase. The showcase appears in the publication’s Fall 2026 issue, available online today.

The annual showcase, now in its 38th year, celebrates innovative new library buildings and remodels across the US and Canada that address the evolving needs of patrons and communities. More than two-thirds of this year’s selections are renovations or adaptive reuse projects, and many entries show a strong commitment to embracing sustainability while preserving history and cultural identity, evolving traditions, and building in flexibility to meet future needs.

This year’s selections were completed between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026. The public and academic libraries included in the showcase represent a range of geographies, styles, sizes, service populations, and budgets.

This year’s featured projects are:

Boulder (Colo.) Public Library, Gunbarrel branch
PEH Architects; JOC Construction; Bree Angela Design

Chaffey College Library Learning Commons in Rancho Cucamonga, California
LPA; DLR Group

Clackamas County (Ore.) Libraries, Oak Lodge Library in Oak Grove
Opsis Architecture; Johnston Architects

Jefferson County (Colo.) Public Library, Conifer Library
EUA

Jerome Library, Bowling Green (Ohio) State University
NR Lee Restoration Company

Leon County (Fla.) Public Library, Main Library
Architects Lewis + Whitlock

Li Lu Law Library, Columbia University in New York City
Perkins Eastman

Maplewood (N.J.) Memorial Library
Sage & Coombe Architects

Margaret J. Clapp Library, Wellesley (Mass.) College
Shepley Bulfinch

Nicholson Memorial Library System, West Garland (Tex.) branch
HBM Architects

Robert E. Kennedy Library, California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo
Miller Hull

Salt Lake City Public Library, Ballpark Library Lab
GSBS Architects

Sevier County (Tenn.) Public Library System, Kodak branch
SRA Architects

St. Petersburg (Fla.) Library System, President Barack Obama Main Library
HBM Architects

Vaughn Public Library in Ashland, Wisconsin
Engberg Anderson

For more information about the Library Design Showcase or to view past selections and slideshows, visit bit.ly/Design-Showcase.

About the American Library Association
The American Library Association is the largest non-partisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to America’s libraries. The ALA mission is to empower and advocate for all libraries and library workers to ensure equitable access to information for all. For 150 years, ALA has provided resources for information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more information, visit www.ala.org.

Contact:

Communications and Media Relations Office

cmomedia@ala.org

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