Key dates
The RCVS has had a library for many years and, for a short time, also had a Veterinary Museum, though this was closed and the specimens dispersed in 1925. Now, RCVS Knowledge manages both the library and archives. On this page is a timeline of key dates in the history of the library and archives from 1844 to 2012.
1844
RCVS was formed after the Royal Charter was granted.
1853
College moves to 10, Red Lion Square which includes a library, museum and students waiting room.
1871
The skeleton of the famous racehorse, “Eclipse”, is donated by Professor John Gamgee.
1873
Library Committee set up and a few books were purchased.
1890
£100 allocated to the Museum for renovation and the purchase of new specimen cases.
First recorded donations of The Veterinary Journal, Veterinary Record and The Veterinarian from the editors.
1891
Catalogue of the Museum Collection compiled by Edward Reuben Edwards.
1909
Many museum specimens remain un-mounted and un-catalogued. Library & Museum Committee state there is only enough money to attend to the most urgent work.
1921
Skeleton of “Eclipse” goes on permanent loan to the British Museum of Natural History.
1921
Remainder of the War Memorial Fund is donated to the Library to purchase some current veterinary literature. Extra space is also allocated to the Library which is renamed the ‘War Memorial Library’.
1925
It becomes impractical to maintain a Veterinary Museum in Red Lion Square so the specimens are dispersed.
1927
The Carnegie Trust (United Kingdom) gives grant of £400 to Library to purchase text books, for the completion of periodical sets and to continue cataloguing. The condition of the loan is that the Library become an Outlier Library for the Central Library of Students and be willing to loan books to other institutions.
1928
A Library extension is approved and the space is refurnished – space for 10,000 books is made available. Library starts charging for postal loans, 6d per volume, to cover postage.
1934
Open appeal for Library Endowment fund begins without much success.
1936
Library receives £100 to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of the late King George V. A total of 1,197 books and periodicals were sent out on loan, the most ever.
1940
RCVS relocates most of its activities to Harrogate. Library remains in London, offering a reduced service. The more valuable periodicals are stored in the basement for safety. Librarian reports that there are disruptions to German journal supplies.
1941
Red Lion Square is hit by bombs during the evening of the 10th May, large number of books sustain water damage from the fire hoses. The remaining collection is transferred to Harrogate.
1942
Library service is suspended.
1946
Partial Library services resume – no lending library. It is impossible to renew subscriptions to French, Belgian and Dutch periodicals until commercial relations are restored.
1952
Library expands its contacts and loans papers to libraries world wide.
1953
Printed Catalogue of the Historical Collection is completed. Rebinding of the material damaged during the war is started using compensation obtained from the War Damage Commission.
1958
Library comes under management of the newly formed RCVS Trust.
1959
The minute book of the Odiham Agricultural Society, which was traced by the RCVS Registrar Mr WGR Oates in 1956, is donated to the Library.
1962
Wellcome Trust gives £17,500 to cover cost of shelves, equipment and bookcases for the Library and Historical Library in the new premises of the RCVS at 32 Belgrave Square. Library is renamed the ‘RCVS Wellcome Library’.
1969
The BSAVA donate a number of small animal textbooks in memory of their former president Noel Ormrod.
An exhibition of archives from the ‘early days’ of the profession is on display to mark the 125th Anniversary of the RCVS.
1977
A Library exhibit is put on at BSAVA Congress for the first time.
1983
A bequest from the late Mr. NR Turnball adds one of only two known copies of Vial de St. Bel’s Plan for establishing an institution to cultivate and teach veterinary medicine to the Library collection.
1989
Computerisation of the Library begins.
1990
Former Librarian, Molly Raymer, gives £1,100 towards the purchase of watercolours by Edward Mayhew for the Historical Collection.
1994
The collection of the late Dr WP Blount is donated. Amongst the items are Conrad Heresbach’s Foure Books of Husbandrie 1586, the 1631 edition of Gervase Markham’s Maister-Peece and the 1797 History of British Birds illustrated by Thomas Bewick.
1995
Library and RCVS moves to Belgravia House on Horseferry Road.
1997
Benita Horder steps down as Chief Librarian after 35 years.
1998
Library now offers its resources to veterinary nurses.
1999
Library starts to offer access to electronic journals.
2003
Norbrook Laboratories Ltd donates £250,000 to the Library spread over 5 years to help develop its online information services.
2007
New rolling Library Membership Scheme introduced. Certificate casebooks are made available online in 12 different subject areas.
2008
Library hosts first author’s evening with Professor Donald Broom discussing the latest edition of his book and the future of animal welfare science.
2010
Work on the Library’s lower ground floor stack begins with stock being reorganised and duplicates identified. Library membership grows to 10% of the practising profession.
2011
Trust awards Lifetime Contribution Awards to Norman Comben and Bruce Vivash Jones in recognition of their support and contribution to the Historical Collection and archives.
2012
Library starts to blog.
