Philip Schreur, a nationally and internationally renowned leader in library technical services and knowledge information systems, has been appointed Deputy University Librarian for Stanford Libraries. He assumes the role effective 1 September 2021.
Currently Schreur is the Associate University Librarian for Technical and Access Service at Stanford Libraries and has led efforts to transform the way users discover library resources by integrating their metadata with information on the Web making use of Web-oriented technologies such as Linked Data. Schreur is a frequent speaker at conferences around the world and has published several scholarly articles. “The Academy Unbound: Linked Data as Revolution” earned him the Edward Swanson Memorial Best of Library Resources & Technical Services (LRTS) Award, a distinction awarded annually by the Association of Library Collections & Technical Services for the best paper published in LRTS, their official journal.
Schreur received a PhD in Medieval Music Theory from Stanford in 1987 and started his library career as a student assistant in Stanford’s Music Library. He worked at the libraries of UC Davis and UC Berkeley, as well as HighWire Press as their knowledge system developer, before returning to Stanford Libraries to serve in various managerial roles overseeing multiple technical services teams. In 2014, Schreur was tapped to become the Associate University Librarian for Technical & Access Services.
Schreur’s leadership during the pandemic drove the continued circulation of library materials utilizing a request and pick up service, and the reopening of the Cecil H. Green Library in June 2020 to coincide with research restart in laboratories across campus.
“Phil is an innovative leader with a longstanding commitment to enhancing access and discovery for library patrons at Stanford and around the world,” said Michael Keller, Vice Provost and the Ida Green University Librarian at Stanford. “I selected Phil as a partner and Deputy University Librarian on the basis of his scholarship, his professional innovations, and his deep understanding of Stanford. Phil’s substantial expertise and active imagination will prove vital as our university libraries continue to leverage tools like artificial intelligence, machine learning and Linked Data to streamline and enhance services for our community.”
Although Phil’s student days of sitting crossed legged on the floor of the Music Library filing catalog cards into a cabinet’s long thin drawers are behind him, Schreur does not take them for granted.
“I am thrilled to be able to serve Stanford Libraries in this new capacity,” he said. “I feel fortunate in having deep roots with both Stanford’s faculty and students.” Schreur recalls how his interactions with the library came first as a user; “a very demanding one,” he notes. Over the years, he finds himself returning to those deeply set roots as Stanford Libraries discuss issues such as the critical need for data, open access policies, or the library’s support for teaching and learning.
“In many ways, those early days of being both a library patron and staff member shaped my professional career. I look forward to working with colleagues from across Stanford to keep our library system agile and responsive as well as adapting the new possibilities evident in Linked Data and Artificial Intelligence for service to the Stanford community.”
Schreur succeeds Mimi Calter who is leaving the Stanford Libraries to serve as Vice Provost and University Librarian at Washington University in St. Louis. Alexis Manheim has been appointed Assistant University Librarian for Technical and Access Services. She assumes the role 1 September when Schreur transitions to Deputy University Librarian.