John H. Livingstone, FOX ’49: An Enduring Legacy Supporting Temple University Libraries
John (Jack) Livingstone's, FOX ’49, journey is a testament to the transformative power of education and the indelible mark one can leave on their community. A proud alum, Jack’s generous philanthropic support of Temple through the Livingstone Undergraduate Research Award, his lifelong dedication to knowledge accessibility and his novel approach to fostering library engagement have helped shape the educational journeys of many students and enriched the cultural fabric of Monmouth County and beyond.
John H. Livingstone, FOX ’49, lovingly referred to as Jack, is a living legacy, whose impact extends through Temple’s hallowed halls and to the shores of his community in Ocean Grove, New Jersey. From pioneering library programs in Monmouth County to establishing the Livingstone Undergraduate Research Awards at Temple University Libraries, Jack’s passion for making knowledge accessible will empower students for generations to come.
Jack’s early years were marked by a deep admiration for Temple University. His fond memories of attending football games with his father instilled in him a lifelong affinity for the university, and he attended Temple’s summer programs directly after high school. Despite being called to serve in World War II while attending Temple, Jack’s commitment to education remained strong. Thanks to the GI Bill, he found his way back to our university and completed his bachelor’s degree at the Fox School of Business, which laid the foundation for his remarkable career.
After graduating, Jack married and started working for Atlantic Refining Company in South Philadelphia. After 10 years, Jack began to dream of new possibilities. One day, a frequent customer, a schoolteacher and Temple connection, asked him if he had ever thought about becoming a librarian. “Not only had I never thought about it, but I also didn't even know what they were,” said Jack.
Jack searched for a librarianship program, but little did he know, he had found his true calling. While Jack earned his master’s degree in librarianship at Drexel, he still held a special place in his heart for Temple, citing it as “Philadelphia’s school.”
“Temple in is the heart of our city and it’s an important part of our city,” said Jack. “It’s a beautiful campus where students from all parts of the world are given the opportunity they need.”
John Livingstone, 1989
Jack started his career at the state library in Trenton, New Jersey, and not long after, he became head librarian at the Monmouth County Library. But Jack’s contributions extended beyond his professional roles. In his free time, he still enjoyed Temple football games and jazz. Jack befriended a jazz musician who needed a place to try some of his new material. Since the library was closed on Sunday, Jack partnered with him on an idea that was ahead of its time in 1972: the Monmouth County Library’s iconic jazz concert series.
Jack kept the program running yearly, growing it larger, meeting all the major jazz players in New York and New Jersey, and never missing a Sunday. Soon, the library staff incorporated classical music, and Jack’s son also started a Friday night movie series. “It was more than just hosting concerts, films or programming; it created a welcoming place for the community,” said Jack. The most personally fulfilling part for Jack was how the community started to utilize the library—a cause that strongly resonates with him, and one he passionately champions here at Temple.
The programming also brought much-needed enthusiasm and publicity to the libraries, which helped garner a better book budget, more staff and greater resources for the library community. Jack became known for his visionary leadership and dedication to knowledge accessibility, and even after his retirement in 1991, at 65, he was asked to return as the State Librarian of New Jersey. According to Jack, it was the best job he ever had and never wanted. “I never planned my life; I just followed a passion, and it unfolded in a beautiful way that I had never expected,” said Jack.
Amid his numerous achievements, Jack remained closely connected to his alma mater. Whether through attending sports games, supporting university initiatives or generously donating to various passion areas, Jack’s ties to Temple remained steadfast. In reflecting on his legacy, Jack remains humble, attributing his success to the opportunities afforded to him by Temple University. “I got most of my education at Temple and would never have done much of anything if it hadn't been for Temple. Temple gave me the opportunity,” said Jack.
Jack cemented his legacy and passion for education by establishing the Livingstone Undergraduate Research Awards at Temple University Libraries, which celebrate excellence and creativity in undergraduate research projects across six categories. The categories include humanities, social sciences, STEM disciplines, creative works, general education and diversity and social justice, which is also sponsored by Gale, a Cengage company. This year commemorates the 20th anniversary of Jack’s enduring legacy, which encourages active library engagement by celebrating the best undergraduate research utilizing library resources and rewards students $1,000 in each category. By championing undergraduate research, Jack has also ensured that future generations of Temple students will have access to the resources and support needed to thrive academically.
“The library is often overlooked in terms of passion areas, but no matter the passion, the library is there to open up a world of knowledge,” said Jack. “I want students to be able to follow their passions, knowing that the library is there for them. When I first went into a library, I didn’t even know I could ask someone a question. I don’t want any student to miss what is available to them, and I want to keep the amazing library programs to stay available for them.”
Jack has a long-held admiration for Temple and truly believes in the transformative power of its libraries in fostering academic excellence and sparking innovation. Through the generosity of donors like Jack, we can maintain the libraries’ crucial role as a hub of knowledge and collaboration and continue to empower the next generation of leaders, thinkers and creators changing the world.
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