Willard, Percy – Librarian was a local history buff

Clarence Percy Willard (1912-1979)

 

Clarence Percy Willard was born in Steyning, Sussex. His mother’s maiden name was Rattlidge, born 1890 same place, a housemaid on the 1911 Census.

He became chief assistant librarian at the East Sussex County Library.

In September 1940 he married Dorothy E Mason in Brighton, Sussex.

He came to Grantham in 1941, succeeding W G Summers as librarian and curator of Grantham Library and Museum.

During his war time post of librarian and curator, he never closed the library once during the war years, but in 1946 it was closed for a year and caused eruptions lol!

This was on account of having to move the ARP stuff out and artefacts back etc.

During his tenure at Grantham Public Library, he saw the number of borrowers grow from less than 4,000 to more than 10,000 and the annual issue quadruple from 100,000.

He organised displays and exhibitions including those featuring the work of local artists and photographers.

His biggest was in 1963 – Quincentenery Year – with an exhibition celebrating Sir Isaac Newton, bringing together exhibits worth £15,000.

During his employ he also was appointed librarian of the Newtonian Society and built up what is now the ‘Isaac Newton Collection’ at the present library.

In 1966 he was appointed librarian-tutor at Kesteven College of Education, Stoke Rochford, looking after some 20,000 volumes and lecturing on bibliography.

He was a member of the executive committee of the East Midlands Regional Library System, including spells as chairman and president.

He also held office in the Rotary Club, WEA, Grantham Local History Society and on the heritage panel of the Lincolnshire Association.

He was an authority on the town’s history and created an excellent collection for the town’s library.

He lived on Harrowby Road up to his death in October 1979.