David Giovacchini, Middle East studies librarian at the University of Pennsylvania, died suddenly Nov. 5, 2016. He was 57.

He graduated from Cornell in 1981, majoring in history and Middle East studies. In 1984, he earned a master’s degree in Near Eastern studies from Princeton. Before beginning his library career, Giovacchini served five years in the Army, rising to the rank of captain.

Prior to working at Penn, he held similar library positions at Stanford and Harvard. At Penn, he was proud of bringing in a major collection of Fez lithographs as part of the rare books and manuscripts collection. He enjoyed traveling to Morocco to attend the annual Casablanca book fair.

Giovacchini spent the last five years at Penn managing print and electronic collections relating to the Middle East, in Middle Eastern and West European languages. In addition to being a scholar and researcher, he was an adviser to students and faculty. He enjoyed playing music, creating art, watching Middle Eastern films, and studying history.

He is survived by his wife, Lois; two children; and his mother, Dianna.

Graduate memorials are prepared by the APGA.