Dhaval (Danny) Mehta

Dhaval “Danny” Mehta, beloved brother, uncle, son, and friend. 34 years old, a librarian, loved beyond measure, passed away on October 28, 2020 in Atlanta, GA. A collector of stories, songs, and sweaters, happiest in a warm, sunny place surrounded by books and listening to Bob Dylan. Perpetually writing in his head, though purposefully rebellious when putting pen to paper, Danny was a master reader and writer, always ready to pore over someone else’s words and offer his observations. He loved people and he loved stories and often collected both through playing the long game of listening.He loved playing music, listening to music fully, loudly but was not a snob. He loved what he loved and his love brought you into it if you were willing.

Danny was never far from a deep and robust sense of wonder. On Danny’s shelf, The Oxford Roald Dahl Dictionary and books on Jim Henson sat alongside the poetry of Milton, Yeats and Donne. He valued writers and illustrators like Maurice Sendak and Shel Silverstein and understood how timelessness and honesty made these artists particularly potent voices for people of all ages, and just as wise as Mark Twain or Shakespeare. He boasted an encyclopedic knowledge of The Rolling Stones, often sharing details of the group’s history the way a grandfather would proudly unfold the accomplishments and struggles of his progeny -- with wonder and pinpoint accuracy.For his undergraduate work, Danny attended The University of Georgia in Athens, GA. Danny received a Masters of Information Science from the University of Tennessee Knoxville. Danny worked as public librarian first in Beckley, West Virginia, then for Fulton County’s Central, Ponce and Peachtree branches. A staunch proponent of the reread, he heralded concise, formidable writers (O’Connor, McCullers, McCarthy, Russell Baker) and was perpetually ready to discuss their routines, writing styles, and fun facts about their lives. You’d often find him guiding patrons to the poetry section, leaning on the circulation desk discussing his favorite plays or helping patrons hone their cover letters.He was an excellent librarian, extremely well-read and familiar with all the important books, always ready to offer helpful recommendations. His love for community and the written word extended naturally to all patrons of the libraries he worked in, and he was a true champion for bookworms and budding authors alike. He loved his friends like family and is loved back infinitely in return. 

He is survived by parents; Pravin and Bina Mehta; loving sisters Ketaki (Jonathan) Harper, nieces Maya, Marisa, and Sona; Vaishali Mehta; Jayashri (Nissan) Desai, nephew Anuvik and niece Kismet.

To know Danny was to appreciate him as a listener; he changed people by seeing them, hearing them. To be listened to by Danny was a gift you never forgot. 

Donations can be made to the following in his honor: 

The Friends of the Ponce Library - https://www.facebook.com/friendsofponcelibrary/

Mail checks to 980 Ponce de Leon Ave NE Atlanta, GA 30306

Mental Health America - https://www.mhanational.org/donate-mental-health-america