Moriarty, John Helenbeck, 1903-1971
Biographical Information
John H. Moriarty was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, November 9, 1903. He received his B.A. from Columbia College in 1926 and spent the next seven years working for the New York Telephone Co. as manager of its Buffalo office. The lure of library work proved overwhelming in 1933, and he re-entered Columbia where he received his B.L.S. in 1934. He served as a librarian at Cooper Union and after earning his M.L.S., again at Columbia, he became assistant to the director of libraries there. Three years of administrative experience at the Library of Congress followed and in 1944 he accepted the appointment as director of the Purdue University Library. In 1950 he took on the additional responsibility of directing the Audio-Visual Center.
Mr. Moriarty was active in professional organizations, serving on numerous committees. He was past president of the Indiana Chapter of the Special Libraries Association, the Indiana Library Association, and the University Film Producers Association. He served two terms on the ALA Council. Moriarty was a visiting lecturer at the University of Illinois Library School and was a frequent contributor to library journals.
Community activities included a long standing membership in the Rotary Club and the Torch Club. He served eight years in the West Lafayette School Board, including two terms as president. He was active in bringing the Tippecanoe-Montgomery county bookmobile service to citizens.
Citation:
Program for his recognition dinner, December 4, 1969 and an obituary for which no publication information is available.Found in 7 Collections and/or Records:
Bruce Rogers papers
Correspondence, examples of work, photographs and ephemera relating to the life and career of typographer and book designer Bruce Rogers.
Collection on Bruce Rogers
Correspondence, printed material, audio-visual materials, artifacts and ephemera collected by Purdue University Libraries during or after the lifetime of Bruce Rogers.
John H. Moriarty papers, addition 02
Moriarty, John H., June 16, 1970
One oral history interview with John H. Moriarty by Robert B. Eckles.
John H. Moriarty papers
The papers of John Moriarty include newspaper clippings and an article from a Purdue newsletter on his career, articles written by Moriarty, a program from a recognition dinner dated December 4, 1965, letters written to him upon his retirement, his memorial resolution and two obituaries
Purdue University Office of Publications Oral History Program collection
The Purdue Office of Publications Oral History Program collection documents Purdue University history through oral history interviews with Purdue University professors and administrators. Types of materials include: printed material, cassette tapes, reel-to-reel tapes, compact discs, and digital materials. Interview topics include Purdue history and changes in administration and academic departments.
Stewart Center records
The Stewart Center records contain floor plans and materials related to the building's construction and correspondence between Dr. John H. Moriarty and various distinguished groups and individuals invited to the dedication ceremony. A program from the first student play held in Loeb Playhouse is also contained within the collection as well as several library documents.