Robert Sharman
Tasmanian-born Robert Sharman served as State Librarian from 1976 until 1988, following on from appointments as Archives Officer at the Australian National University and Assistant State Librarian at the State Library of South Australia. Initially trained as an archivist, Robert always considered the preservation of historical records to be of vital importance. Whilst serving as the State Archivist of Tasmania, Robert founded the Tasmanian Historical Research Association as a pressure group to further the status of the state's then-neglected State Archives.
Significant developments were made under Sharman's direction as State Librarian of Western Australia. These include the construction of the Alexander Library Building, and the relocation of Library Staff and collections from many buildings and annexes to this new home in 1985. Sharman also oversaw the realisation of his predecessor, F A (Ali) Sharr's ultimate goal of creating a public library within every Western Australian local government authority, with this achieved by 1982. Under Sharman's leadership a regional library support system was implemented, providing subsidies and additional book stocks for libraries in remote locations.
Robert Sharman guided the State Library through a difficult period of upheaval, including a major State Government review in 1987 aimed at reducing the size of the public sector, itself culminating in a major structural review of the State Library's services. His technical and administrative expertise was recognised and rewarded when he was named a Fellow of the Library Board in 1988.
Page last updated: Tuesday 22 November 2011
