Martha Jane Koontz Zachert, retired professor emerita, died January 10, 2018 at Westminster Oaks Health Center. She was born February 7, 1920, in York, Pennsylvania, daughter of Elizabeth Lau and Paul Rodes Koontz, grew up in Baltimore, Maryland where her Father served a parish. She received a bachelor’s degree from Lebanon Valley College, a master’s from Emory University and her doctorate from Columbia University. She also held a certificate in archival management from the Georgia Division of Archives and History and a certificate in medical librarianship from the Medical Library Association with membership in the Association of Health Information Professionals. In 1946 Martha Jane married Edward Goneke Zachert with whom she moved to Atlanta, Georgia. They had one daughter, Elizabeth.
After initial work at Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore, and in school libraries in Georgia, Martha Janes’ career as medical librarian began at Mercer University College of Pharmacy in Atlanta. She moved into teaching, especially for medical and other special subject librarians, at Florida State University and at the University of South Carolina. A secondary teaching field was related to the book arts and history of books. In addition to being active in local and regional library associations she was a life member of the Medical Library Association, the Special Libraries Association and the American Library Association. She was president of Beta Phi Mu (Library Science honorary society) and a founding member of the Miniature Book Society and the Oral History Association. She held leadership positions related to professional continuing education.
Martha Jane also consulted with numerous libraries and engaged in long term projects for development of federal libraries such as the Army Corps of Engineers library systems. She published numerous articles and books in her research field; she edited the Journal of Library History and several books. She several times taught short courses in England and served six-months as consultant to a research project of the British Library.
Among other honors, Martha Jane was elected to the SLA Hall of Fame, and as a Fellow of MLA. She received the SLA President’s Citation, citations from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy and the Southeastern Library Association, including the Rothrock Award, SELA’s highest.
In retirement Martha Jane returned to Tallahassee where she became active at St. John’s Episcopal Church and in the Tallahassee Literary Club while enjoying her family: Daughter Beth (and Don) Hagler, Granddaughter Carrie Pignato (and Jeff), and Great-grandchildren Jacob, Elisabeth and Lydia Pignato, and her sister Miriam Drucker (who predeceased her). She traveled as long as Zach, the love of her life, constant companion and support, was able. He predeceased her in 2005.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00pm, Saturday, February 3, 2018 at the Maguire Center at Westminster Oaks, off Dempsey Mayo Rd. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church, 211 N. Monroe St, Tallahassee FL 32301 or to a charity of your choice.
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