Sharr, F. A. (Francis Aubie), 1914-2002

Western Australia State Librarian, 1956-1976. Francis Aubie Sharr (known as Ali) was born on 5 October 1914 in England, the only child of Francis Joseph and Ethel Lucy Sharr (nee Bennett). Attended Chigwell School and then studied at University College in London before proceeding to the University of London School of Librarianship for postgraduate studies. Graduated in 1936 and worked in several public libraries before serving in the Royal Artillery during World War II. While Deputy City Librarian of Manchester approached to come to Western Australia to establish a library system. Arrived in Perth in 1953. Was Secretary of the Library Board of Western Australia from 1953-1976 and State Librarian from 1956-1976. Oversaw the development of the State Library and the public library system within Western Australia. In 1962-1963 appointed adviser on library development to the government of Northern Nigeria. Attended two international conferences on national planning of library services in Asia in the 1960s, one in Columbo in 1967 and another in Seoul in 1969. President of Library Association of Australia 1969-1970 and Foundation Chairman of the State Librarians Council 1973-1976. In 1976 awarded the Order of the British Empire. Further awards include Library Association of Australia HCL Anderson Award for service to Librarianship in 1980; the Library Board of Western Australia Award of Fellowship for exceptional service and election as a Fellow of the Library Board of Western Australia in 1984; a Probus Distinguished Service Award in 1988; and the Honorary Doctorate of Letters awarded from the Curtin University in 1991. Married a fellow librarian Florence McKeand (born 12 January 1920) on 7 July 1962. They died within a week of one another, Flo on the 9 November and Ali on the 16 November 2002.

W.A. State Librarian, 1953-1976.