Search For
Repositories
Tools
Reserve
Support
Instruction
Research
Contact
Resources
Policies
Who We Are
Visiting
From the Dean
Know the Libraries
Academics
The John H. Moriarty Award for Excellence in Library Service is named in honor of John H. “Jack” Moriarty, who served as Director of Purdue Libraries from 1944 until 1970. “Service” had always been central to Moriarty, who held various positions in libraries across the nation, including the Library of Congress, before joining Purdue. One of these positions includes a visiting lecturer at the University of Illinois Library School as well as a frequent contributor to library journals. The former dean of library administration at the University of Illinois, R.B. Downs, wrote a letter when Moriarty retired, stating that he was very “impressed by the high esteem in which Jack was held on campus, from the university’s president down to the student assistants.”
The award was established in 1982 to recognize outstanding service and contributions in librarianship provided by members of Purdue Libraries faculty The award may be given more than once to a faculty member but not in consecutive years. Faculty members may nominate themselves or other faculty members for consideration. A selection committee that consists of the dean and associate deans will select the winner.
The recipient of the award should show outstanding contributions in one or more areas, which have helped to further Purdue Libraries’ ability to provide information services to its primary user community. Examples of these areas include:
Moriarty and his wife, Jean, instilled a love of learning in their three children, two of which graduated from Purdue. An endowment for the John H. Moriarty Award for Excellence in Library Service was established to provide perpetual support for Purdue Libraries faculty. Richard L. Funkhouser, a deep admirer of Moriarty, endorsed this award to help recognize outstanding librarianship in supplying the information needs of the university. Members of the Moriarty family—among them his youngest son, Mark, and his wife, Linda—have committed to continue the Moriarty Award Endowment in honor of Moriarty.
To make a gift to support the Moriarty Award Endowment, click here.
