23 Facts About Lionel McColvin

Lionel Roy McColvin, commonly referred to as Lionel McColvin, was a British librarian.

Lionel McColvin has been described as "the dominant figure in British public librarianship" in the mid-20th century and a "world leader" in the profession of librarianship.

Lionel McColvin was born at Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne on 30 November 1896.

Lionel McColvin's parents were Andrew McColvin, a portrait painter, and his wife, Isabel.

In 1931 Lionel McColvin was made Borough Librarian at Hampstead in North London and the curator of the Keats House Museum.

Lionel McColvin was a central figure in the launch of the new Belsize Branch Library that was opened in a Modern Movement building in 1937.

Lionel McColvin continued his predecessor's series of "extensive lecture programmes" and introduced a programme of chamber music concerts.

Lionel McColvin published a number of "influential" books on topics including public libraries and music librarianship.

In 1938 Lionel McColvin was appointed as Librarian of the City of Westminster in central London, a position he held until his retirement in 1961.

In 1941 Lionel McColvin was appointed by The Library Association to undertake an exhaustive survey of the libraries of Great Britain.

Lionel McColvin was instructed to inquire into the immediate wartime problems being experienced by libraries and into possible postwar developments.

From July 1945, as evacuated stock and archives returned to Westminster, Lionel McColvin established a children's section in Drury Lane and the Westminster History Collection of "archives, books, prints, maps and other materials".

Lionel McColvin published further books, including The Personal Library, The Chance to Read and Public Library Services for Children.

Lionel McColvin was active in the United Kingdom's Library Association, being a member of its Council and serving as its Honorary Secretary, its President and finally an Honorary Fellow.

Lionel McColvin edited the Association's journal, the Library Association Journal, for several years.

Lionel McColvin urged the Council of The Library Association to "take continuous and positive action" to secure the professional position of librarians and he was the founder, chairman and first president of the Society of Municipal and County Chief Librarians, which was the first trade union for Chief Librarians.

Lionel McColvin was a champion of the British Council and in particular the functions of its overseas libraries of fostering understanding and closer ties between the British people and people in other lands.

Lionel McColvin was a close friend and ally of Sir Ronald Forbes Adam, the Council's Director General from 1946 to 1954.

Lionel McColvin was vice-president and chairman of the public libraries section of the International Federation of Library Associations, a member of the International Federation for Information, and a member of the British co-operating committee of UNESCO.

Lionel McColvin was an idealistic "visionary" who worked for the development, reconstruction and modernisation of libraries, particularly public libraries, during the rise of the welfare state in 20th century Britain and the social and economic recovery from the Second World War.

Lionel McColvin emphasised the national importance of libraries and their contribution in the international sphere to building a "better postwar world".

In 1922 Lionel McColvin married Mary Carter, whom he met in Wigan.

Lionel McColvin was the eldest child and only daughter of William and Esther Carter.