Nick Strachan and his Athfield Architects team are "extremely proud" of their Devonport Library design.

An architect firm's "building in the park approach" for Devonport's new library has paid-off.

The six month old library is a finalist for a Danish government prize.

Judges for the 2015 Systematic – Public Library of the Year Award chose five libraries from around the world meeting six criteria.

The $7.8 million, Athfield Architects designed library showed "strong historical and cultural roots relating to the Maori people and the Victorian built environment," the judges say.

Nick Strachan says his team is "really pleased" with their design reaching the shortlist.

They worked long and hard on making sure the cedar and pine clad 733 square metre community facility fitted into its surroundings and meet community needs, he says.

Devonport Library's customer experience manager Mirla Edmundson is "delighted" by the shortlisting news.

"We have received an overwhelmingly positive response to the new library from our community and library users, and it is heartening to see this special space being recognised on the world stage."

Visitor numbers for the clean, green hi-tech library boasting energy-free ventilation and all areas wi-fi have been above expectations.

Between February and April this year, more than 93,369 visits were made, more than twice that for the old library in the same 2013 period.

"People adore the beauty and functionality of the building," Edmundson says.

The competition winner will be announced on August 16.