The Association of College and Research Libraries’ (ACRL) named Dr. Ravindra Nath Sharma, director of the University Library at West Virginia State University Institute, West Virginia, the ‘2005 Academic/Research Librarian of the Year.’

According to ACRL, Dr. Sharma will receive $3,000 and a plaque at the annual conference of the American Library Association (ALA) which is scheduled to take place in Chicago, IL, on June 27.

According to a press release, the award, sponsored by YBP Library Services, recognizes an outstanding member of the library profession who has made a significant national or international contribution to academic/research librarianship and library development.

“I am honored and pleased to win the ACRL ‘Academic/Research Librarian of the Year Award.’ The bold and unanimous decision of the award committee has convinced me that hard work always results in recognition by your peers. I am full of energy and will continue to contribute to the development of the profession and academic libraries for many more years,” said Dr. Sharma.

Sharma received his B.A. with honors from the University of Delhi in the Indian capital where he also earned his master’s in history.

He received his M.L.S. from North Texas State University and Ph.D. in Information and Library Studies and Higher Education from the State University of New York at Buffalo, the release added.