John P. McDonald

John Peter McDonald (October 17, 1922 – November 19, 1993) was an American librarian. McDonald served as university librarian and director at the University of Connecticut (1963–74; 1976–86) and executive director of the Association of Research Libraries (1974–76).

Early life McDonald was born on October 17, 1922, in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, to parents Edward D. and Marguerite McDonald. According to the 1940 US census, McDonald's father was a teacher, and both parents were born in Ohio. McDonald served four years in the United States Navy during World War II He held a Carnegie fellowship at Rutgers University's Library School in 1957–58, where he studied library administration under Keyes Metcalf.

During his tenure at UConn, McDonald presided over construction of the Homer D. Babbidge Library and grew the library's collections from 450,000 volumes to more than 2.2 million volumes, becoming one of the largest libraries in New England. He took initial steps towards library automation, engaged in state and national library network and resource sharing initiatives, and built strong archival and special collections. He also served as a consultant on buildings and management for libraries and museums across the United States and as far away as Santiago, Chile. in 1951. The couple had two sons. They lived in Storrs, Connecticut.

McDonald died of cancer on November 19, 1993. He was interred in New Storrs Cemetery, on a hill overlooking the UConn campus.