Drawing on recent experience and observation in New South Wales, this paper describes issues facing authorities, planners and librarians who are working on public library building projects. The author emphasises the need for all involved to focus not just on traditional good design principles, but also on user needs, consulting the community, assessing space and siting requirements and costs. This paper is based on part of a presentation by the author and Kathleen Bresnahan, assistant state librarian, Public Library Services, State Library of New South Wales, to the International Federation of Library Associations Metropolitan Libraries Section Conference, "Library as a fusion space--possibilities and opportunities" Singapore, 26 September-1 October 2004. (Contains 5 endnotes.)