AARL

From strength to strength - the evolution of Western Australia's Library Service

Claire Forte

Abstract In more than a century since the foundation stone was laid to establish a public library for Western Australia, the state's library service has continued to evolve and expand to meet changing needs. The state-wide service enjoyed today is the result of the dreams, determination and dedication of a number of early pioneers, as well as scores of men and women who have continued to build a quality service for the Western Australian community. This article traces the origins, history and development of the State Library of Western Australia through the achievements of its leaders and key protagonists.

A great library keeps for us the highest values of the past and holds for us at least a part of the knowledge that can unlock the doors of the future.[1]

The history and development of free 'public' library services in Western Australia can be attributed to scores of dedicated people 'united in their passion for bringing together books and people'.[2] Many men and women have played significant roles in leading and shaping the state-wide service and countless others have played equally significant roles in delivering library services to the Western Australian community.

In more than a century of evolution of the state's library services, there has been just four 'chief', or 'state' librarians appointed. The first of these, Dr James Sykes Battye, a Victorian by birth, died in office in 1954, after 60 years of service. The J S Battye Library of West Australian history, the documentary heritage branch of the State Library of Western Australia, stands as a testament to his foresight in collecting and preserving materials of importance to the recorded history of this state.

Dr Battye's successors, Mr Francis Aubie (Ali) Sharr, Mr Robert Sharman and Dr Lynn Allen, as state librarians, all followed a similar pattern of longevity of service, although none quite so long as Dr Battye.

Origins of the State's library service

The earliest history of 'public' libraries in Western Australia can be linked to various attempts at establishing book societies and literary institutions, designed to provide a source of reading materials for the fledgling colony. The Swan River Mechanics' Institute established in 1851 was perhaps the first collection of books that could be described as a library. Its contents reflected a desire to provide 'enlightened reading material' for the colonists.[3] Government assistance for the library however declined over the years and maintenance of the collections became increasingly difficult. Renamed as the Perth Literary Institute in 1909, it was eventually acquired by the Perth City Council to form the beginnings of the Perth City Library. Similar institutes were established in other parts of the state and flourished through to the early 20th century.[4] In many respects, these institutes were the forerunners of today's free public libraries.

The origins of the State Library of Western Australia date back to the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria's reign. In June 1887, the WA Legislative Council voted to provide £5000 to celebrate the jubilee. Some £2000 was sent to London as this colony's contribution towards the foundation of and maintenance of the Imperial Institute in London, while the remainder was appropriated as a contribution towards the foundation of the Victoria Public Library in Perth.[5] The population at the time was a little over 42 000.

The foundation stone was laid by Governor Broome on 21 June 1887 but funding was insufficient for building to progress for some years. Located temporarily in the old Western Australian Bank Building in St George's Terrace, Perth, the library opened its doors to the public for the first time on 26 January 1889 with a total of 1796 volumes on its shelves. The Victoria Public Library was designed to supply the public with a 'higher class of literature, not obtainable at the ordinary circulating libraries'. There was seating for about fifty readers, with one recess being reserved for ladies.[6]

A Committee of Management was established by Parliament to build the library's stock and to oversee policies for use of the library. In 1893 a public petition sought to have some of the stock available for loan but Parliament supported the committee's policy of maintaining the books for a reference collection.[7] The committee soon determined a trained librarian was required and Dr Battye, aged just twenty three, was hired from Melbourne. By all accounts Dr Battye immersed himself over the years not only in the business of building the library's collections and extending its readership, but in research and writing (he received a doctorate in 1924), in church affairs, the masonic fraternity and numerous policy making bodies and commissions.[8]

The library relocated in 1897 to a building on the corner of Beaufort and James Streets, in the area now known as Northbridge. This building was designed to house the Library, Museum and Art Gallery and it remained in this location for the next six years. During this time, the Parliament's annual grant to the library rose steadily, due at least in part to the prosperity engendered by the gold-mining boom.[9] By 1903, the bookstock had increased to over 50 000 volumes and a 'stack' building (since demolished) was built facing nearby Francis Street.

By 1904 the Victoria Public Library had been officially renamed the Public Library of Western Australia to avoid confusion with its counterpart in Melbourne. Around this time were several important innovations including the first intake of manuscript records and the inauguration of a circulation system to service the needs of country residents. A Travelling Libraries Branch was formed with government commitment to provide a regular grant for the bookstock.[10] For some years, cases of books were sent to mechanics' and miners' institutes in country towns. The use of these collections, however, inevitably varied according to the fortunes of these towns.

The early emphasis for the public library was on providing access to British and European culture for residents of the colonies. By 1911, the increasingly valuable collections of both the library and the museum/art gallery required a firmer legal basis and the government enacted the Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery Act which united the institutions administratively under a Board of Trustees.[11] The chief librarian was to be General Secretary of the Board whose members totalled fourteen. Dr Battye retained this role until his death on 15 July 1954.

In 1911, construction commenced on the second half of the library's headquarters, with a new reading room and galleries proclaimed as Hackett Hall, after Sir Winthrop Hackett, a prominent advocate for the library's foundation, a member of the Management Committee from 1903 and president of the Trustees from 1911-1916. This building opened on 18 August 1913 and still stands in the Perth Cultural Centre, next to the new home of the State Library of Western Australia - the Alexander Library Building, also named after a prominent advocate for libraries, Professor Fred Alexander.

The School Libraries Branch was established in 1927 at government request and in a similar fashion to the Travelling Libraries Branch, lent collections of books to country schools.[12] This service was later taken over by the Education Department and existed until the mid 1980s as the Charles Hadley Travelling Library. Books would travel in army boxes to schools in remote parts of the state and were an integral part of the school library service.

Development of the State Archives

Being aware of the importance of preserving published and archival records, Dr Battye commenced collecting local material for the library very early in his reign as chief librarian. Concern about the destruction of valuable records prompted the formation of the Public Records Committee (chaired by Dr Battye) in 1923. This committee was revived as the State Archives Board in 1929 and survived until 1943. After successful lobbying to government of the need to appoint an archivist the Archives Branch was established in 1945, bringing together all material located in the public library relating to Western Australia. Ms Mollie Lukis was appointed as the first archivist and the Archives Branch operated as such until it was re-named the J S Battye Library of West Australian History in 1956. Ms Lukis served as State Archivist (and from 1956 as principal librarian, J S Battye Library) until her retirement in 1971, a total of twenty-six years. Her influence and achievements over this period were considerable.[13]

In 1971 Ms Margaret Medcalf succeeded Ms Lukis and until her retirement in 1989, continued the work of collecting archives and progressing now much pressing issues of improved access to collections, records management and storage. The Library Board's archival role was formalised in 1974 when amendments to the Library Board Act gave it responsibility for the management of the State Archives, including both private and government archives.[14]

In 1987 as a result of a Functional Review of the State Library Service, a recommendation was made that 'a public records management/archives branch should be created within the Department of Services and the present Archives division be transferred to that authority'.[15] However, it was to be more than a decade before the management of government records would be separated from the state library's operations.

In 1988 the State Archives was established as a separate directorate from the J S Battye Library. Renamed the Public Records Office in 1995 to reflect its emphasis on government records, responsibility for collecting and preserving private archives was transferred back to the Battye Library. With the introduction of the State Records Bill into Parliament in late 1998, there was another name change in April 1999 to the State Records Office. With the passing of the State Records Act in November 2000 and the subsequent establishment of the State Records Commission, the State Records Office separated administratively from the State Library, and formed a division of the Department of Culture and the Arts.

Beginnings of the Public Library Network

In 1947, the McColvin report[16] published for the Australian Council for Educational Research described the lack of public library services in Western Australia thus:

There are no municipal libraries even in Perth and Fremantle; even institutes with all their shortcomings are less common than in say South Australia or Queensland.

By 1948, the need for an improved lending service began to see a grass roots push for legislation to enable the establishment of a public library network for the state. The impetus came from a number of sources including an approach by the University of Western Australia's Adult Education Board for government support for a country lending library scheme, in conjunction with local authorities.[17] The Children's Book Council of Western Australia also organised petitions to government to establish free children's libraries.[18]

It was intended that Western Australia be brought into line with most other Australian states that were already developing free public library services. There was particular concern for 'those living in country areas who, under existing conditions, do not have the same library opportunities available to them as are enjoyed by residents of the metropolitan area'.[19] After several unsuccessful attempts to pass bills through state parliament The Library Board of Western Australia Act 1951 was passed and came into force by proclamation on 30 September 1952.[20]

The function of the Library Board, established under the provisions of this Act, was to oversee development of the state's public library system. Professor Alexander, one of the major drivers of the campaign to have legislation passed through parliament, became the Library Board's founding chairman and remained so for thirty years (1952-1982).[21]

In the library board's first Annual Report (1952-53) the key elements of the state's public library service were described as books, people and buildings.

The essence and kernel of any library is its books, including within the term books: periodicals, maps, pamphlets, prints, trade catalogues, manuscripts, archives, music, micro-films, and all other forms of record which a modern library handles. [However] such a book stock cannot be built up, nor used and exploited fully, without an adequate staff. The third element which goes to the making of a library is the building... However large or small, it should be bright, attractive, and scrupulously maintained.[22]

In the following year's report the educational and recreational aspects of the library service were emphasised:

The need for books is greater in Western Australia today than it has ever been in the past. As our industries develop, they are bound to become competitive with industries elsewhere in the Commonwealth and overseas... This state will be at a serious disadvantage if it cannot call upon information services at least as efficient as those... in other parts of the Commonwealth and the world.[23]

Working people enjoy today more leisure than ever before. A very valuable aspect of the public library service is the opportunity and encouragement it offers for some of that leisure to be devoted to the nice and subtle happiness of reading.[24]

The important role of the librarian in meeting these needs was also described:

Readers are on the whole of a gentle disposition and do not cause a loud commotion when their desires are not met. It is however, the librarian's duty to meet their softly spoken needs and even to anticipate his readers' demands, so that he may bring to their attention books of which they might otherwise be unaware.[25]

The economic and social value of libraries continued to be emphasised throughout the library board's early annual reports with expressions such as:

What really matters is the joy, the hope, the inspiration, maybe the solace, which individual readers have derived from the reading of its books. These cannot be measured, cannot be reported, but they are the real ends to which the whole system works. The board hopes it is laying the foundations of a good library service... and hopes quietly to continue with this work, the immediate results of which can be found only in the hearts and minds of the people who have been enabled to live happier, better and more fruitful lives, but of which the long term results must be a great enrichment of the Western Australian community.[26]

Although much of this sounds rather quaint today, it could be argued that the fundamental principle has remained over the years - that libraries deliver both an economic and social value to the community. In order to deliver on these benefits, however, libraries need to be adequately funded, be staffed by dedicated and knowledgeable people, and have appropriate structures within which to develop and maintain collections and make these accessible.

Francis Aubie (Ali) Sharr

In April 1953 Francis Aubie (Ali) Sharr arrived in Perth from Manchester as the newly appointed executive officer to the library board, with a brief to develop a state-wide public library network. At that time, only the City of Fremantle had a pre-existing, rate-supported public library (founded in 1949). There were a few isolated institute libraries, a subscription library and some children's free libraries, operated by volunteers.[27] Without a library base from which to establish a public library network, temporary accommodation for the board was found at the Perth Literary Institute, with later relocation to a house at 11 Havelock Street, West Perth. This building, reported to have a total capacity of 15 000 volumes, became known affectionately as 'headquarters'.[28] With an initial staff of six, Mr Sharr commenced the process of developing a model for libraries by travelling the state and listening to people's needs. At that time the population was just over 631 000.

Throughout its first year, the major concern of the board was 'to study present library provision and to consider in what ways the assistance of the state, both financial and other, could most effectively be applied to the development of a public library system for the people of Western Australia'.[29] The board recognised that demands could not be met without considerable expenditure and a decision was made to initially concentrate its resources on rural Western Australia.[30] At this time 82 per cent of the local authorities in Western Australia had a population less than 6000 and 60 per cent had less than 2500.

Sharr's goal was to have a public library in every local authority - a dream that ultimately came to fruition in 1982 under the leadership of Sharr's successor, Mr Robert Sharman.[31] The first public library opened at York on 27 August 1954. The first three metropolitan libraries - Claremont, Fremantle and Kwinana, were established by 1956.

Newly constituted Library Board

Whilst Sharr was firmly in charge of developing the public library system under the direction of the board, and by all accounts he took to this with vigour and determination, Dr Battye, although now quite elderly, was still chief librarian of the Public Library of Western Australia. Following Battye's death in July 1954, the government decided to amalgamate the library services of the library board and of the Public Library of Western Australia, then still under the responsibility of the Trustees of the Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery. This move was much welcomed by the library board.[32]

Following the Acts Amendment (Libraries) Act 1955, the library board was reconstituted on 1 December 1955, on which date the former Public Library of Western Australia was separated administratively from the Museum and Art Gallery.[33] The library was closed for 12 months for refurbishment and re-opened as the State Library of Western Australia on 14 December 1956, by the governor, Sir Charles Gairdner. No doubt in reference to the recent success of the Australian team at the Olympic Games in Melbourne, the governor quipped that 'he hoped the time would come soon when Australians would take as much interest and pride in their achievements in the realm of the mind as in those on the field of sport.'[34]

With the library board's new focus on developing both a public library system and building the state's reference library, Sharr was conferred with the title of state librarian.

The new library board saw opportunities to provide a greater range of library services across the state as readership grew. A 'request and information' service was established 'to supplement the choice [of books] available at any particular time, and to meet the needs of people who want quite advanced or specialised material.'[35] This enabled every library to call on the state's reference library to provide additional books or information to support the growing needs of the population.

Sharr continued to argue for funding for bookstock and improved services and increasingly, for building renovations. It was not until the late 1960s, however, that renovations could occur to Hackett Hall and the Havelock Street headquarters moved to allow accommodation for the increasing bookstock for public libraries. As early as 1967 it was mooted that a new building would be required for the state's library service but planning did not commence in earnest for another decade. It was Sharr's successor, Robert Sharman, who was to see this project to conclusion in 1985.

Recruiting to the service

With a scarcity of qualified librarians locally, many of the Board's first recruits came from the UK, including Ms Florence McKeand, appointed as accessions librarian and whom Sharr married in 1962. Many past and present staff of the state library service who were recruited from overseas remember being interviewed by Sharr, who knowing how very different things were to the English landscape, asked questions about how they would 'fit in' to a new lifestyle in Western Australia.

Formal qualifications for librarians in Western Australia at this time were attained through registration examinations of the Library Association of Australia (LAA) held at Perth Technical College. Sharr served on the Board of Examiners for many years and arranged for the then chief assistant librarian, Mr James Hammond, to coordinate library classes to prepare candidates for the LAA examinations.[36]

In 1971, a library school was established at the then Western Australian Institute of Technology (WAIT), now Curtin University, and Sharr played a significant role in this. To take full advantage of the opportunities offered by the new course, the Board introduced a cadetship scheme.[37] The library board thus became an excellent training ground for many new librarians.

Ali Sharr retired in 1976 by which time the Board had a staff of 193 and bookstock of 1 063 039 volumes, with some 150 local libraries established.[38] With Sharr's death in November 2002, just one week after the passing of his beloved wife Flo, a significant chapter in the history of public library services in Western Australia came to a close. Sharr's passion for the library service lives on in the strong network of public libraries in Western Australia and the many dedicated staff working in these.

Robert Sharman

Robert Sharman, appointed state librarian in July 1976, also hailed from the Eastern states having most recently worked as assistant state librarian in South Australia.

Sharman continued to strive for state-wide coverage of public libraries and by 1982 every one of the state's 139 local government authorities was involved in providing a public library service in association with the Board. He gave strong support to public library services for children and in 1977 the Board appointed the first children's specialist to assist with selection and advisory services to public libraries.[39] The number of children's librarians appointed to public libraries grew in the 1980s, with the first country appointment made in 1989 to Albany Regional Library. Today, the collaboration between children's librarians and enthusiastic staff of the State Library, as well as with school libraries and the Children's Book Council, has lifted the profile of children's literature through important annual events such as Children's Book Week.

Another of Sharman's significant achievements was the implementation of a regional system for public libraries. To strengthen the support to country libraries, the Board determined that regional libraries would be provided with subsidies and additional bookstock to support the smaller libraries within a geographical boundary. The first five regional libraries for the state were designated during 1978. Others followed in ensuing years with a total of eleven by 1989.

The first decade of Sharman's term as state librarian was an important period of evaluation of requirements for automation and in 1983, the State Library implemented the AWA URICA system. This system was to remain the mainstay of the library's operations for over a decade until a major IT project instigated by Sharman's successor, Dr Lynn Allen, culminated in the implementation of the Innopac library management system in 1995.

New headquarters - the Alexander Library Building

Planning for a new building for the state's library service began in earnest at the end of 1977, with the appointment of Perth Architects Cameron, Chisholm and Nicol who worked in association with the then Building Management Authority and Consulting engineers Norman, Disney and Young Pty Ltd. Construction of the main library frame commenced in January 1982, with practical completion of the building reached early in 1985.[39]

The Alexander Library Building, located in the Perth Cultural Centre, celebrates the significant contribution of Professor Fred Alexander to the Library Board of Western Australia. It is, however, largely due to the patience and perseverance of Sharman and many of the Board's staff, that the building became a reality. The Library Board's branches, collections and staff had been scattered over a number of buildings and annexes and were brought together in the new Alexander Library Building, which was officially opened on 18 June 1985, by the then Premier of Western Australia, the Hon Brian Burke.

Functional review of the State Library Service

Soon after the opening of the new building, the state government commenced a functional review program including a review of the State Library Service. In parallel with this review, the library board was required to make a contribution to the government's aim of reducing the public sector by 3 per cent.[41] This must have been difficult at a time when visitor numbers and reference enquiries were escalating with the attractive new building and its colocated services.

Released in November 1987, the report of the Functional Review Committee contained twelve recommendations, not all of which received government's full endorsement. One of those not endorsed was that The Library Board of Western Australia Act be repealed. The then Minister for the Arts announced that the principle would be preserved 'that a statutory authority would be available to assist the government with planning and policy advice for the state and public library and information services'.[42]

Another recommendation not endorsed at that time was that the State Library Service become a branch of the Department for the Arts. However, the permanent head of the Department for the Arts was to become a member of the Board, increasing its size from twelve to thirteen.

The functional review culminated in a major internal restructure of the State Library services and saw the beginning of a new era of increased accountability for the Board. Having achieved many major milestones and significant developments in the library service during his twelve years as state librarian, Sharman retired on his 60th birthday in September 1988.

Dr Lynn Allen

As the first female state librarian, Dr Lynn Allen was appointed in January 1989, almost 100 years to the day that the original Victoria Public Library, the forerunner of the now State Library of Western Australia, opened to the public for the first time.

Under Dr Allen's leadership came some significant improvements in the provision of access to the state's collections and to information seeking. In 1994 a major project was initiated to oversee the implementation of a new library management system to replace the now very tired URICA system. Coinciding with the launch of the Innopac system in 1995, the library's first external website and web-based catalogue were launched. This was followed by the development of an intranet to greatly improve staff access to internal information; and by 1996, internet access for staff and public in the Alexander Library Building and in regional libraries became a reality.

The 1990s was a period of increased accountability and operational efficiency across government and strategic and operational planning, and output based management became a strong focus of the library's management. It was also a time of increased pressure on the need to raise revenue to boost the funding base and hence there was a new emphasis placed on business development opportunities. Partnerships with the corporate sector commenced in earnest with the establishment of the WA State Library Custodians to oversee a 'save our century' campaign focused on raising funds for preservation of the state's heritage collections.

A significant period of change for the organisation occurred in 1997, when the State Library (then known as the Library and Information Service of Western Australia) was amalgamated with a number of arts agencies and the Department of Arts, to form the Ministry for Culture and the Arts. The then Minister for the Arts, the Hon Peter Foss, introduced a bill to abolish the boards within the portfolio and replace these with an advisory body - or Council of Culture, Libraries and the Arts. Amidst much opposition, the bill never came to fruition but the administrative arrangements that established the ministry continued, albeit with a name change in 2001 to the Department of Culture and the Arts.

After leading the organisation through a significant period of change during her twelve years as state librarian, Dr Allen resigned in March 2001 to take up a position as professorial fellow in the Business School at Curtin University.

Post 2001 - unlocking the future

In early 2001 the newly elected Western Australian Labor government gave a commitment to rebuilding and maintaining a strong state public sector in its policy statement Delivering a Better Government. A taskforce was established to review the machinery of Western Australia's government. The taskforce's report Government Structures for Better Results noted that there had been a significant growth in the number of statutory authorities in Western Australia and recommended a review of the functions of each statutory authority to assess the appropriateness and feasibility of incorporating those functions into departments of state.

During 2002, a review was conducted of Western Australia's cultural and artistic statutory authorities, including the Library Board of Western Australia. In December 2002, cabinet approved the recommendations of the Minister for Culture and the Arts, the Hon Sheila McHale, which saw the retention of the Art Gallery of Western Australia, Library Board of Western Australia and the WA Museum as statutory authorities.

The decision confirms that the Library Board will continue to operate with a degree of independence from government direction and control in relation to its specific functions - and the collections, as cultural assets, will remain vested in the Board. However, the act will be updated to incorporate accountability recommendations including ministerial power of direction in relation to the general policies of government. This authority will not, however, extend to custodial matters, including the presentation of artistic and cultural assets, acquisition, disposal, preservation and research. The legislation will also be amended such that the Director General of the Department of Culture and the Arts will cease to be an ex-officio member of the Board.

With the knowledge that the Library Board will continue its governance role of the state's library service, a recruitment process will soon commence for a State Librarian to lead the next period of its evolution. The Western Australian library service has gone from strength to strength over its long history, with passion being the driving force behind its development and sustainability. The number of public libraries in the state now stands at 238, with more than 2.3 million items available for loan. In addition the state's reference collections comprise 500 000 items supplemented by a number of electronic databases. The J S Battye Library holds 102 000 monographs, 15 000 serial titles as well as collections in many formats, including digitised images available via the web. The Board is currently working with local government on a new framework agreement, incorporating up-to-date principles and standards for the delivery of public library services.

Many challenges lie ahead for the staff involved in delivering services to the Western Australian community via the State Library and through the state's public libraries. The key to success will be in upholding the strong values of the past whilst unlocking the doors to the future.

Notes

1. Library Board of Western Australia Annual Report of the Library Board of Western Australia 1969-1970 Library Board Perth 1970 p7
2. C Florey A Passion for Books and People City of Stirling Stirling WA 2002
3. P Biskup 'The Public Library of Western Australia 1886-1955' Australian Library Journal Vol 9 No 1 1960 p3
4. P K Rose 1990 'The Institute Libraries' in R C Sharman and L A Clyde (Eds) Western Perspectives: Library and Information Services in Western Australia Australian Library and Information Association Perth 1990 p35
5. L Hays Worth Telling, Worth Keeping: A Guide to the Collections of the J S Battye Library of West Australian History Library Board of WA Perth 2002 p8
6. J Honniball 'The Public Library of Western Australia 1887-1955' in R C Sharman and L A Clyde (Eds) Western Perspectives: Library and Information Services in Western Australia Australian Library and Information Association Perth 1990 p31
7. Ibid
8. W Birman 'James Sykes Battye' in R C Sharman and L A Clyde (Eds) Western Perspectives: Library and Information Services in Western Australia Australian Library and Information Association, Perth 1990 p17
9. J Honniball Ibid p32
10. Ibid
11. Ibid
12. Ibid p33
13. T Reynolds and C Coggin 'The State Archives of Western Australia' in R C Sharman and L A Clyde (Eds) Western Perspectives: Library and Information Services in Western Australia Australian Library and Information Association Perth 1990 pp167-168
14. Ibid
15. Library Board of Western Australia Annual Report of the Library Board of Western Australia 1987-1988 Library Board Perth 1988 p6
16. L R McColvin Public Libraries in Australia: Present Conditions and Future Possibilities Australian Council for Educational Research Melbourne 1947
17. W Birman 'The Adult Education Library: Requiem for a Library' in R C Sharman and L A Clyde (Eds) Western Perspectives: Library and Information Services in Western Australia Australian Library and Information Association Perth 1990 p45
18. C Priest and N Allen 'Library Services for Young People' in R C Sharman and L A Clyde (Eds) Western Perspectives: Library and Information Services in Western Australia Australian Library and Information Association Perth 1990 p204
19. C Florey Ibid
20. Library Board of Western Australia Annual Report of the Library Board of Western Australia 1952-1953 Library Board Perth 1953 p3
21. C Florey Ibid p22
22. Library Board of Western Australia 1953 Ibid pp4-5
23. Library Board of Western Australia Annual Report of the Library Board of Western Australia 1953-1954 Library Board Perth 1954 pp5-6
24. Ibid p7
25. Ibid p11
26. Library Board of Western Australia Annual Report of the Library Board of Western Australia 1955-1956 Library Board Perth 1956 pp18-19
27. C Florey Ibid p22
28. Library Board of Western Australia 1954 Ibid p9
29. Ibid p3
30. C Florey Ibid p23
31. K Smith 'Francis Aubie (Ali) Sharr OBE' inCite Vol 24 Jan-Feb 2003 p8
32. Library Board of Western Australia Annual Report of the Library Board of Western Australia 1954-1955 Library Board Perth 1955 p6
33. Library Board of Western Australia 1956 Ibid p10
34. Library Board of Western Australia Annual Report of the Library Board of Western Australia 1956-1957 Library Board Perth 1957 p5
35. Library Board of Western Australia 1954 Ibid p5
36. Ibid pp13-14
37. Library Board of Western Australia 1970 Ibid p26
38. W Birman 'Francis Aubie Sharr' in R C Sharman and L A Clyde (Eds) Western Perspectives: Library and Information Services in Western Australia Australian Library and Information Association Perth 1990 p25
39. C Priest and N Allen 'Library Services for Young People' in R C Sharman and L A Clyde (Eds) Western Perspectives: Library and Information Services in Western Australia Australian Library and Information Association Perth 1990 pp206-207
40. Library Board of Western Australia Annual Report of the Library Board of Western Australia 1984-1985 Library Board Perth 1985 p4
41. Library Board of Western Australia Annual Report of the Library Board of Western Australia 1986-1987 Library Board Perth 1987 p7
42. Ibid p5

Claire Forte, acting chief executive officer and state librarian, State Library of Western Australia, Alexander Library Building, Perth Cultural Centre, Perth WA 6000. E-mail: cforte@liswa.wa.gov.au.nospam (please remove '.nospam' from address).