Alice Hastings Murphy, B.S.’40

Alice Hastings Murphy, former head librarian at the University at Albany, passed away Dec. 31, 2011, in Albany at the age of 94.

The daughter of New York State College for Teachers faculty members, Murphy grew up on what is now UAlbany’s downtown campus and earned a bachelor’s degree in library science at NYSCT. After completing her master’s studies at Columbia University, she returned to upstate New York and joined the staff of the University Libraries in 1948. Murphy retired in 1970 as head librarian but remained involved with UAlbany’s Friends of the Libraries.

Survivors include her brother, Henry Hastings; and four stepchildren and their children and grandchildren.

To honor her parents’ memory, Murphy established the Harry and Louise Clement Hastings Fund. Memorial donations in her name may be made to the fund, which benefits the University Libraries, through The University at Albany Foundation, 1400 Washington Ave., UAB 226, Albany, NY 12222.