Global acclaim begins a new chapter for Shanghai's Heping Library

Heping Library, a branch of Shanghai's Hongkou Library, has earned global acclaim at the 2025 IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions) "Public Library of the Year Award."

Emerging from a strong field of 15 libraries across eight countries, it was Asia's only representative among the three finalists, ranking second worldwide.

Often described as the "Oscars of the library world," the IFLA/Baker & Taylor Public Library of the Year Award honors newly opened libraries that combine innovative architectural design with sustainability, digital development, and cultural identity.

Jury chair Jakob Lærkes praised this year's finalists, saying: "This year's three nominated libraries – Heping Library from China, New Canaan Library from the United States, and Gabrielle-Roy Library from Canada – are all part of a strong trend within library design, where we see more and more examples of architects and planners choosing to take on a more sustainable approach to library architecture by remodeling an existing building as their starting point instead of tearing down and building anew."

Shanghai's First 24-Hour Park Library

Opened on April 23 last year, which marked World Book Day, Heping Library is Shanghai's first 24-hour public park library.

Located within Hongkou District's Heping Park, it has quickly become a cultural landmark, attracting over 2.6 million visitors in just 15 months.

The facility houses more than 150,000 volumes, with over 7,700 new library cards issued, and has already facilitated 800,000 book loans.

Spanning 10,000 square meters, the library features four themed pavilions, an art gallery, and a central green reading lawn.

Its design integrates in perfect harmony with the surrounding park, preserving original structures while adding green technologies such as rooftop solar panels, glass curtain walls for natural light, and ventilation corridors for energy efficiency.

Innovation Meets Community Life

Heping Library's motto, "Reading – A New Way of Living," is reflected in its REAL vision: Reading, Eco-greening, Accessing, and Living.

Visitors enjoy diverse spaces, including a dining-reading area where books and coffee blend, a children's zone with smart bookshelves that track real-time locations of picture books, and flexible indoor and outdoor spaces that host community flash events, exhibitions, and cultural markets.

Digital innovations include big data–driven user insights, online reservations for events and seats, and a thriving digital reader community. The library has hosted more than 160 public cultural programs and 16 themed exhibitions, drawing over 200,000 participants.