Fyan, Loleta D. (Loleta Dawson), 1894-1990

Loleta Irene Dawson Fyan was born on May 14, 1894, in Clinton, Iowa, to Albert Foster Dawson and Phoebe R. (DeGroat) Dawson. She received a B.A. from Wellesley College majoring in botany and minoring in music. She graduated top of her class from Western Reserve University's Library School in 1920 and was hired by the Detroit Public Library. In 1921, she became the first county librarian for Wayne County Library System. She married Clarence Edward (Ted) Fyan (1888-1954) in 1926. She served as president of the Michigan Library Association from 1934-35 and was appointed the first professionally certified state librarian of Michigan in 1941, a post which she held until her retirement in 1961. She held many posts during her career including president of the American Library Association (1951-52). She lived out the remaining years of her life in East Lansing, dying on March 15, 1990.