Morgan and the Modernization of the House of Lords Library
The evolution of parliamentary research and information management owes much to the dedicated career of Morgan. From his early days as a photographer for Tatler magazine while preparing for the bar exam, Morgan transitioned into a role that would fundamentally reshape how the UK Parliament accesses knowledge.
Early Career and Transition to Parliament
In 1951, Morgan accepted a position at the House of Commons Library within the Palace of Westminster. Although he initially viewed the role as a temporary engagement, he remained there for 12 years, gaining foundational experience in parliamentary documentation and research.
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Transforming the House of Lords Library
Morgan eventually moved to the House of Lords Library, an institution that was significantly outdated at the time. His leadership was catalyzed by a report from a working group led by David Eccles, 1st Viscount Eccles. This report advocated for a comprehensive overhaul, including the establishment of a formal research service, the hiring of qualified professional librarians, and the acquisition of current literature.
From Reading Room to Research Hub
Between 1977 and his retirement, Morgan led the transformation of the library. He shifted its identity from a "gentleman's reading library" and a "parliamentary backwater" into a sophisticated, high-tech information center. This shift was essential to support a changing House of Lords, which saw an increasing number of peers with professional expertise and active working lives.
The Technological Leap
One of Morgan's most ambitious projects was the digitization of the library's records. He managed the transfer of an index containing approximately 120,000 books from traditional card catalogs to microfiche (a film-based system for storing miniaturized documents).
As technology progressed, Morgan continued to integrate new tools. In 1978, the library introduced its first two computer terminals and a Prestel machine (an early videotex online service). By the time of his retirement in 1991, the library had achieved a fully online catalogue and had begun subscribing to digital databases.
Key Facts
- Career Start: Began at the House of Commons Library in 1951.
- Major Achievement: Modernized the House of Lords Library from a traditional reading room to a hi-tech research center.
- Data Migration: Converted a 120,000-book index from cards to microfiche.
- Tech Milestones: Introduced computer terminals and Prestel in 1978; achieved a full online catalogue by 1991.
- Honours: Appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 1991 New Year Honours.
| Period/Year | Role/Milestone | Key Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Post-Oxford | Photographer | Worked for Tatler while studying for the bar exam. |
| 1951 – 1963 | House of Commons Library | Spent 12 years in parliamentary library service. |
| 1977 – 1991 | Head Librarian, House of Lords | Modernized the library and implemented IT systems. |
| 1978 | IT Integration | Installed first computer terminals and Prestel machine. |
| 1991 | Retirement & Honour | Achieved online cataloging; awarded CBE. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the state of the House of Lords Library before Morgan's leadership?
The library was described as a "gentleman's reading library" and a "parliamentary backwater" that was in desperate need of updating, lacking qualified librarians and modern research services.
How did Morgan handle the library's massive book index?
Morgan oversaw the massive project of transferring the index of some 120,000 books from traditional physical cards to microfiche.
What specific technologies were introduced under Morgan's tenure?
He introduced the library's first two computer terminals and a Prestel machine in 1978, eventually moving the entire catalogue online and subscribing to online databases by 1991.
Why was the modernization of the library necessary?
The modernization was required to serve an evolving House of Lords, which included an increasing number of expert, working-life peers who needed a high-tech source of information.
What honor did Morgan receive upon his retirement?
Morgan was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 1991 New Year Honours.