Ray Schwartz Appointed Head of Library Information Systems

Following the reorganization of the Library Information Systems unit, Ray Schwartz was promoted to Head of Library Information Systems.

Following the reorganization of the Library Information Systems unit, Ray Schwartz was promoted to Head of Library Information Systems.  Ray replaces Kurt Wagner, formerly Assistant Director for Library Information Systems, who resigned effective January 4, 2016.

Ray joined the Cheng Library in 2004 as Systems Specialist Librarian and was responsible for providing support for the Voyager integrated library system.  Now as Head of Library Information Systems, Ray will direct the operations of this unit which serves the Cheng Library by supporting the Library’s technology and systems requirements. His organizational duties will include administering the budget for library computing hardware, software, and maintenance.  Ray will also supervise the work of three staff members, the Digital Initiatives Librarian, the Systems Specialist Librarian, and the Computer Services Specialist. 

His other responsibilities include participation in the Collection     Development Program as materials selector for the departments of Chemistry, Physics, Computer    Science, and Environmental Science.  Among his current University activities, Ray serves as chair of the Faculty Senate Assessment Council.

Ray has earned master’s degrees in Library Science, from Columbia University, and in Media Studies, from the New School University.

Ray is a seasoned traveler, having lived in Europe and made trips to Africa, South America, Greenland, Australia, China and Antarctica.

He is also an avid runner and has completed twelve marathons, including five in New York City.  Some of the other marathons Ray has completed were in such distant places as Berlin and Antarctica.  He also participated in the commemorative marathon in Athens in 2010 to celebrate the anniversary of the Battle of Marathon 2,500 years prior.

Regarding his new position, Ray said, “I look forward to the new opportunities and challenges as we hire two new staff and move forward with new projects such as an institutional repository and the integration of new technologies and new systems of knowledge to further the mission of the Library and the University.”

February 29, 2016