F A Sharr Medal

The F A Sharr Medal is awarded to a Western Australian librarian or library technician in their first year of employment who exhibits the most potential to make a significant contribution to the library profession in WA.

Image courtesy of the State Library of Western Australia

In keeping with the spirit of the award, the successful candidate must be a resident of Western Australia. An award, including the awarding of the Medal itself, does not take place if there are no suitable applicants. The prestige of the award must be preserved.

About the F A Sharr Medal
Award Selection Criteria
Nomination and Selection Process
Role of the Sharr Medallist
Important Dates

About the F A Sharr Medal

The F A Sharr Medal is named after Francis Aubie (Ali) Sharr, State Librarian in Western Australia from 1953 to 1976, in recognition of his contribution to libraries and librarianship in Western Australia and to the profession overall.

The award was inaugurated in 1976 when the first Medal was presented to Mrs Jean Ryding, a Western Australian student of librarianship. The Medal is now awarded to a Western Australian librarian or library technician in their first year of employment who exhibits the most potential to make a significant contribution to the library profession in WA.

The award is determined from:

• Award selection criteria
• Interview
• Presentation
• Referee reports

For more information about F A Sharr please see:
K Smith (2002) 'Obituaries: Francis Aubie (Ali) Sharr' Australian Academic & Research Libraries, vol. 33, no. 4.

Award Selection Criteria

Nominees' must address the following selection criteria:

1. Be a Western Australian resident in their first year of employment after completing an Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) accredited library and information studies or library technician course
2. Demonstrate excellence in conceptual and analytical skills
3. Demonstrate the values of ALIA through involvement in current professional and community activities in Western Australia
4. Possess the ability to discuss current issues concerning the library and information industry

Nominees must be a member of ALIA to be eligible for the award.

Nomination and Selection Process

Nominations can be self-nominating or be submitted on behalf of a candidate (with their approval).

Nominations must include:

• Nominee details
• Statement addressing the award selection criteria
• Details of two referees
• ALIA membership number
• Certificate of completion for library and information studies or library technician course

A panel will be formed by the ALIAWest Committee to interview selected nominees.

The selection panel devises a short series of interview questions each year to measure candidates against the selection criteria. The candidate is also asked to provide a verbal ten minute presentation on the topic 'An important future issue impacting on the nominee's preferred field'. After the interviews, the selection panel checks with referees then chooses the winner of each of the two streams - librarian and library technician and the overall Sharr Medal recipient.

The Sharr Medallist is presented with their award at an ALIAWest function.

The panel may choose not to award the medal.

Role of the Sharr Medallist

The Sharr Medallist becomes the ambassador for the Award for the following year and is expected to be actively involved in ALIA by joining the ALIAWest Committee and by promoting the Award to encourage applications for the following year.

Tebo M FA Sharr Medal Presentation

Important Dates