Govan, 78, librarian emeritus

James F. Govan, University librarian from 1973 to 1992, died Oct. 2 at the age of 78 in his home state of Tennessee.

During the two decades Govan spent at UNC-CH, his progressive vision put valuable resources at the fingertips of students and faculty.

Those resources, key in making UNC-CH's library system one of the finest research facilities in the country, are Govan's living legacy and continue to enrich the academic atmosphere at the University.

Deputy University Librarian Larry Alford worked closely with Govan for 14 years and said he was a great leader and advocate who made a lasting impression at UNC-CH.

Alford, who has worked at UNC-CH for 30 years, said Govan's influence is one of the chief reasons he and several of his colleagues have stayed at UNC-CH for so long.

"He was a friend, a mentor (and) someone I learned a great deal from," he said. "Under his leadership, the whole way we build collections was transformed."

The University's collection doubled in size from 2 million to 4 million volumes under Govan's leadership.

The librarian also oversaw the construction of Davis Library, the stack addition to Wilson Library and the addition to Wilson that houses rare and special collections.

Govan also is credited with bringing UNC-CH libraries into the technological age through adopting electronic cataloging systems and spearheading the Triangle Research Libraries Network, which connects libraries at UNC-CH, Duke University, N.C. Central University and N.C. State University.

Govan is well known for taking great strides to preserve both general collections and rare manuscripts.

Joe Hewitt, University librarian emeritus, succeeded Govan in the position.

He said he remembers Govan as a "scholarly, courtly individual" who made good strategic decisions on behalf of the library.

Hewitt also added that Govan had a "down-home" style that endeared him to people.

"He was very articulate about explaining the library to people ... in ways people understood," he said.

Govan grew up in Chattanooga, Tenn., and earned a bachelor's degree from the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn., a master's degree in library science from Emory University and a doctorate in history from Johns Hopkins University.

He served as president of the Association of Research Libraries in 1983 and was a founding member of the Southeastern Library Network.

"He had a wonderful wit, a sometimes kind of biting wit," Hewitt said. "Students and faculty are very much in his debt for everything (he has done)."

According to The (Durham) Herald Sun, he is survived by his wife, Ann Bright Govan of Chattanooga; their children, James Gardner Govan, Andrew Eaton Govan, Christine Noble Govan and David Bright Govan; and six grandchildren.

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.