Malcolm Peter MacDougall, the director and former chairman of Peters Booksellers in Birmingham, England, died on January 16 at the age of 76. The cause of death was complications from recurrent cancers.
A family-owned library supplier and bookseller dating back to 1935, Peters provides schools, academies and libraries with children's books and furniture. The business was founded by MacDougall's grandfather, John Sheldon Peters, and MacDougall ran the company from the early 1960s until the mid-1990s.
In 1983, Peters launched Peters Library Services to help re-establish the company as a specialist children's library bookseller, which led to a sponsorship of the CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals. MacDougall was also an early and vocal advocate for the use of emerging technology in the book business, and as a member and director of Book Industry Communications pushed for standardizing electronic communications between publishers and booksellers.
Although MacDougall retired from his role as chairman in 2008, he maintained an active role in the business as director.