2026 Library Board Awards celebrate excellence in Western Australian libraries

• Regional and metropolitan public libraries recognised for innovation and collaboration
• New award North Family Early Literacy Award presented for the first time 
• Kay Poustie Scholarship supports the development of professional staff in the public library network 
• ALIAWest presents F A Sharr Award and ALIA service pins.

Libraries and library professionals from across the state were honoured at the 2026 Library Board Awards, held at the State Library of Western Australia on 2 July.

The City of Kwinana and Shire of Gingin took out the top honours for innovation and collaboration, and the Shire of Williams received the inaugural North Family Early Literacy Award recognising its impact in the Wheatbelt. 

The Library Board Awards are an annual celebration of excellence in Western Australian libraries. 

Library Board Award for Innovation and Collaboration ($5,000 per category)  

The 2026 Library Board Award for Innovation and Collaboration for Metropolitan and Large Regional Libraries was awarded to the City of Kwinana for Kwinana Public Library’s Kids Clothes Swap.

The clothing swap started as a pilot circularity program in April 2025 with 48 families and has grown into a key school holiday program with 621 people participating across four sessions in the past year and 562kg of textiles diverted from landfill.

The library worked with families at its early literacy programs to develop and trial a format suitable for the Kwinana community. The initiative highlights and strengthens the important and valued connections between the public library and its community. 

The 2026 Library Board Award for Innovation and Collaboration for Small Regional Libraries went to the Shire of Gingin for Lancelin Public Library’s Noongar Seasons Early Literacy Backpacks. 

Developed in direct response to community need, this initiative is an innovative early intervention program designed to support children aged zero to three years and their families develop fundamental literacy skills.  

The resources were developed in conjunction with local Elders, educators and environmental agencies with knowledge learned from other public library services. The program promotes the public library as a safe space for families now and in the future. 

Commendations were awarded to: 

Metropolitan and Large Regional 

• City of Mandurah – City of Mandurah Libraries – Grow It Local Garden Storytime 
• City of Melville – Wilgi Kaartdijin Mia Willagee Library – BlakSounds Hip-Hop Mentorship Program
• City of Busselton – City of Busselton Library Services – The Things We Don’t Talk About (But Should) Program 

Small Regional 

• Shire of Williams – Williams Public Library – Rhyme Time PLUS – Play, Learning, Understanding and Support
• Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley – Kununurra School and Community Library – Giggle & Grow Early Literacy and Physical Movement Program 
• Shire of Narrogin – R.W. (Bob) Farr Memorial Library – Community Readers National Simultaneous Storytime Program  

North Family Literacy Award ($5000)

The inaugural North Family Early Literacy Award was presented to the Shire of Williams for Williams Public Library’s Rhyme Time PLUS – Play, Learning, Understanding and Support.

The North Family Early Literacy Award recognises the work of public libraries in supporting early literacy by providing innovative programs that have made a meaningful difference to the speech, language and communication skills of young people. 

Williams Library’s Rhyme Time PLUS program provides invaluable support for regional families by augmenting its popular and familiar rhyme time sessions with visiting specialists and experts on a wide range of topics.

The program has grown into a must-attend event for parents and carers in the region, providing important health and wellbeing information alongside opportunities for social connection (and play!) in a relaxed and supportive environment. 

The judges were impressed with the ingenuity and quality of applications. 

Commendations were awarded to: 

• Shire of Gingin, Lancelin Public Library for Noongar Seasons Early Literacy Backpacks
• City of Karratha, City of Karratha Libraries for Lifelong Learning Program
• Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley, Kununurra School and Community Library for Giggle & Grow: Early Literacy and Physical Movement Program

The annual award is presented thanks to the generous support of the North family. 

Kay Poustie Scholarship ($8,000)

Nicole Thompson from the City of Wanneroo is the recipient of the 2026 Kay Poustie Scholarship which aims to enhance library services through evidence-based research and experiential learning in line with the Public Libraries Strategy 2022-2026.

Nicole’s research project will focus on extending library services and resources beyond traditional library models.

The Kay Poustie Scholarship is funded by the State Library of Western Australia, Public Libraries WA Inc., ALIAWest and the generous support of numerous private donors.

Australian Library and Information Association presentations

The F A Sharr Award was presented to Darby Bond Brown for her community-led librarianship and enthusiasm and dedication to the Western Australian library sector. 

Darby’s work at the City of Vincent focuses on engaging with changing communities through community-led practice, with demonstrable outcomes across programs, partnerships, digital inclusion and collection development. 

The F A Sharr Award is presented to a Western Australian librarian or library technician in their first three years post-graduation who exhibits the most potential to make a significant contribution to the library profession in Western Australia. The award is maintained by the ALIA West Committee with the support of the WA Library Technicians Group.

Four ALIA members were acknowledged for service recognition milestones, including an impressive 60 years of membership to Ruth Greble, 50 years of membership to Noreen Kirkman and Christine Richardson, and 25 years to ALIA Fellow and Library Board member Constance Wiebrands. 

Comments to be attributed to John Day, Chairman of the Library Board of Western Australia:

“The Library Board Awards are an opportunity to recognise the innovation taking place in libraries and communities across Western Australia.

“The nominations demonstrate the depth of talent amongst library staff, their keen focus on positive outcomes for their communities and the strong support they receive from their local governments, universities and, most importantly, from library users. 

“The awards reflect the Library Board’s leadership role in guiding and encouraging the promotion of all library services in Western Australia, and are a chance to share ideas and spark discussion about the potential of libraries and the services they offer. 

“We were especially pleased to present the North Family Early Literacy Award for the first time. I thank Sue North and family, as well as the many donors of the long-standing Kay Poustie Scholarship, for their generosity and support for WA libraries.”