Dublin’s international literary award: how a global network of 400 libraries contributes
Project: producing the annual literary award
The Purpose
To build on Dublin’s reputation as a city famous for literary figures, by establishing an event to find exceptional authors of the future.
The Challenge
To enable global participation not just for authors but for libraries to contribute to the submission and take part in the judging process.
Participating libraries can nominate up to three novels each year, and over 400 library systems in 177 countries currently participate.
The Solution
The Lord Mayor commissioned an expert group, including representatives from government departments, libraries, universities and other organisations, to consider the feasibility of a Dublin Literary Award. The prize was established in 1996 and attracts entrants from around the world.
Each year, a long list is nominated by public libraries around the world, and the judges compile a shortlist of no more than ten titles. The winner is announced at a ceremony during the International Literature Festival.
The Award is sponsored by Dublin City Council, administered by Dublin City Libraries and kindly supported by Dublin UNESCO City of Literature.
The Impact
The Dublin Literary Award is the world’s most valuable annual literary prize for a single work of fiction published in English. Participating libraries can nominate up to three novels each year, and over 400 library systems in 177 countries currently participate.
The Dublin Literary Award has seen over 1400 books, and they can all be found in the DLA online library.
The prize fits with Dublin’s designation as a UNESCO City of Literature and speaks to Dublin’s international reputation as a ‘City of Words’. Reading, writing and storytelling are embedded within the cultural, social and economic life of the city, its citizens and its visitors.
Source: World Cities Culture Report 2018
Images Courtesy © Getty/Canva
