R.N. Sharma's Acceptance Speech

2005 Recipient of ACRL's Academic/Research Librarian of the Year Award

Left to right: Frances Maloy, ACRL Past President; Ravindra Nath Sharma, library director at West Virginia State University; and Bob Nardini, vice president of YBP Library Services.

President Maloy, Chairman Warro, Executive Director Davis, Members of the Award Committee, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen

It is indeed an honor and a pleasure to accept the award of the College and Research Libraries this afternoon. I want to congratulate and thank Chair Edward Warro and all members of the Award Committee for selecting me as the Academic/Research Librarian of the Year. As a librarian and a library administrator, I have always tried to contribute to the profession. Therefore, I am happy to know that my contributions to the field of library and information science have been recognized by my peers.I want to thank my God for giving me the ability to do research, write, and speak in front of intellectuals like you.

My special thanks to Dr. Mohammed Aman, Dr. Chi-chi Chen, Dr. Fazle Kabir,and Dr. Dan Vann for nominating me for this prestigious award. It would have been difficult to achieve my goal without their help, guidance, and support. I also want to thank Mr. Bob Nardini, Senior Vice President of the YBP Library Services and his company for their continued interest in academic libraries and to sponsor this award.

Finally, I want to thank three very special ladies who have always encouraged me to work hard in my life. I have spent many years with them and I admire them. When I was away to Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East on library assignments, they waited for me to return to the United States to have a meal together, and talk about many things to catch up. All of them have traveled to Chicago today to share this historic, glorious, and the happiest moment of my life. Therefore, I will like to introduce them to you. Ladies and gentlemen, they are my lovely wife Mithlesh and my two wonderful daughters Nalini and Mohini Sharma.

Thank you and May God bless you all.

R.N. Sharma

June 27, 2005