David Giovacchini, Middle East studies librarian at Penn, died on November 5. He was 57.

Mr. Giovacchini joined Penn in 2011 and managed the Penn Libraries’ print and electronic collections related to the Middle East (Almanac November 15, 2011). He held the position until his death.

One of Mr. Giovacchini’s major accomplishments at Penn was acquiring a major collection of nineteenth-century Fez lithographs. Prior to joining Penn, he held similar positions at Stanford University and Harvard University.

Mr. Giovacchini also taught many classes on the Middle East for adult education programs and enjoyed sharing his knowledge of Islamic culture and civilization with others.

Born in a small town in western Pennsylvania, he earned his bachelor’s degree from Cornell University with a double major in history and Middle East studies. He received his master’s degree from Princeton University in near eastern studies. Before beginning his library career, he served for five years as a captain in the US Army.

He is survived by his wife, Lois Brandwene Giovacchini and his two children, Isabel and Lido.

A memorial service will be held in the Class of ’55 Conference Room on the second floor of the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center at 10 a.m. Thursday, January 19, with a reception to follow. Please contact Richard Griscom, director of collections and liaisons services, at griscom@upenn.edu for more information.