Melvin Davis of Florence, Ala., has been named University Librarian at Coastal Carolina University's Kimbel Library.

The University Librarian oversees the operation of the University's library services, ranging from personnel to budgets. The librarian works with all campus divisions to facilitate library services to CCU faculty, staff and students.

"I would like to see growth in services, an increased emphasis on how we can identify and share locally created research, more electronic access to materials and continued advancement of the physical library space," said Davis, who assumed the position in September. "CCU is upward focused and offers a good mix of challenges and opportunities that accompany a growing university."

For the past seven years, Davis served as dean of library and educational technology services at the University of North Alabama (UNA). He oversaw the operations of the library and services in educational technologies such as Quality Matters. Prior to joining the UNA, Davis coordinated all aspects of electronic resources for the Florida College System, one of the three largest systems in the country.

He was also a librarian and faculty member at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). where he had a number of appointments ranging from instruction, interlibrary loan, electronic resources and systems liaison.

Davis holds a Ph.D. in history from the University of Alabama. In addition, he holds an MLIS and MA in Latin American Studies from the same institution. His undergraduate major was history, and he earned a bachelor's degree from UNA. Davis has served as adjunct professor of history at MTSU and the UNA.