Based on the winners of the International Interior Design Association’s (IIDA) Library Interior Design Awards, the answer seems to be incredible, boundary pushing design.

“With the function of library spaces continually being reshaped and retooled to align with shifting end-user needs and advancing technologies, design in library interiors must evolve quickly and creatively,” said IIDA Executive VP and CEO Cheryl S. Durst.

Queens Library project, Jamaica, New York

This year, the IIDA and the American Library Association (ALA) have awarded Lee H. Skolnick Architecture + Design Partnership along with 1100 Architect the Best of Competition winner of the 2014 Library Interior Design Awards for the Queens Library project in Jamaica, New York. The award was presented and celebrated at the ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition in Las Vegas on Sunday, June 29.

Queens Library project, Jamaica, New York

The judging panel for the Library Interior Design Awards included Christy Cain, IIDA, RID, LEED AP BD+C, Senior Associate, Perkins+Will; Stasia Czech, IIDA, Senior Associate and Interior Designer, NBBJ; Jessica Kayongo, J.D., M.A, Anthropology & Interim Sociology Librarian, Hesburgh Libraries at the University of Notre Dame; and Richard Waters, MLS, Principal Consultant, Godfrey’s Associates, Inc.

Here’s a look at a few of the other entries from Boston to Houston to Finland:

The Glenmore Christian Academy Library, Calgary, CA

The Claire T. Carney Library, Boston

Odegard Undergraduate Library, Seattle

Midland Centennial Library, Midland, TX

Julia Ideson Building, Houston

James B. Hunt Library, North Carolina State University

City Library in Seinajoki, Finland

The biennial Library Interior Design Awards honor international excellence in library interior design, and a demonstrated excellence in aesthetics, design, creativity, function, and satisfaction of the client’s objectives. Images of the Best of Competition project will be published in the September issues of Contract Magazine and American Libraries.