DURHAM City's new library could be in line for a national award.

Durham County Council's complex, part of the £30m Millennium City development, is on the shortlist for the 2003 New Public Library Awards.

The library, which replaced an ageing building in South Street 18 months ago, has a digital media area and junior, reference and lending sections.

It was among 34 nominations for the title and joins Norwich Central Library, Bournemouth Central Library and a development in Dublin in bidding for the honour.

Councillor Dennis Morgan, the council cabinet member for cultural services, said: "We're naturally delighted to be on the shortlist.

"It's quite an achievement to get to this stage as our rivals for the award were all major population centres compared with a population of just 35,000 in Durham City."

The judges will look at how the design of the shortlisted libraries fits with service delivery.

They will announce the winner in the autumn.

Patrick Conway, the county council's cultural services director, said: "The judges were looking for clear evidence that the building works as a library.

"They will be assessing its flexibility in respect of the broader community and creative agenda required of a modern library, and, critically, assessing accessibility, ease of use, and overall ambience."