On Thursday night, the 2nd of July, the State Library Board Awards Night was held at the State Library of Western Australia. It was also the night where ALIA West welcomed our newest F A Sharr Award winner (2025) – Darby Bond Brown. Her passionate talk titled ‘Engaging with changing communities through community-led practice’ showed how community-led practice made such a difference at the Town of Vincent library. Check out Darby’s own account at: https://aliawest.alia.org.au/f-a-sharr-award-winner-darby-bond-brown/
It was also a privilege to welcome the new Kay Poustie Scholarship winner – Nicola Thompson from the City of Wanneroo with her talk, ‘Library+: Extending library Services beyond the traditional library’. We look forward to seeing her research in the coming years.
It is such a rewarding feeling knowing that ALIA West contributes this award as well.
The ALIA Pins for service to the Association, either by membership service, or volunteering, is always a pleasure. This year four people were awared pins. Alison Gaines, ALIA Director, presented, in absentia, the 60 year pin to Ruth Greble, and 50 year pin to Noreen Kirkman. In person was Christine Richardson also awarded a 50 year pin and Constance Wiebrands a 25 year pin. Congratulations to all four recipicents for 2026!
We also congratulate the winners and commendations for the Metro and Regional Awards. It is wonderful to see that libraries are definitely living in the 21st century and the innovations that take place:
| Metropolitan and Large Regional Libraries | Small Regional Libraries |
| Winner – City of Kwinana, Kwinana Public Library | Winner – Shire of Gingin, Lancelin Public Library |
| Commendation – City of Mandurah, City of Mandurah Libraries | Commendation – Shire of Williams, Williams Public Library |
| Commendation – City of Melville, Wilgi Kaartdijin Mia Willagee Library | Commendation – Shire of Whyndham – East Kimberley Kununurra School and Community Library |
| Commendation – City of Busselton, City of Busselton Library Services | Commendation – Shire of Narrogin, R.W. (Bob) Farr Memorial Library |
You can read more about all the nominations at: https://slwa.wa.gov.au/about/corporate-information/library-board-western-australia/library-board-awards-innovation-and#past-and-present-winners
There was a new award this year, The North Family Early Literacy Award. Sue North talked passionately (as we all do) about the need to foster early literacy and her involvement in the Better Beginnings Program, which is still an outstanding success. The Winner was Shire of Williams, Williams Public Library, Rhyme Time PLUS – Play, Learning, Understanding and Support.
Read about the award and the commendations at: https://slwa.wa.gov.au/whats-on/awards-fellowships/north-family-early-literacy-award
It was another fabulous night with Fabulous winners, and we look forward to doing it again next time!
See more photos at: https://www.facebook.com/StateLibraryWA/
Congratulations Darby. Your passion is contagious and inspiring. So glad to hear you will be working with ALIAWest.
Hi Cathie,
Thank you for your kind words! I am very excited to be working with ALIA West 🙂