Johanna Hansson Appointed as New Chief Librarian at Uppsala University
Uppsala University Library is a fantastic organization with committed and competent employees. Here is our common memory in the form of unique collections and here AI methods are developed for the future. To lead such a business is truly a privilege, says Johanna Hansson.
Uppsala University Library was founded in 1620 by Gustav II Adolf. He also donated a collection of books that became the beginning of the rich collections built up during the library’s more than 400-year history. Today they include over 6 million printed scriptures. Several of them are also available digitally.
– The university library is such an important and central resource for both education and research at Uppsala University. Having access to the latest scientific publications and databases is essential for today’s researchers. It is equally important for the students to have access to the study environment at the library with both digital and personal service, says Coco Norén, chairman of the library committee and pro-rector at Uppsala University, and who is responsible for the recruitment process.
Modern technology
Continuing to make the collections available digitally is work that incoming head librarian Johanna Hansson sees as very important, as is developing AI methods.
– Modern technology makes it possible to pose new research questions to older material. Digital and physical, new and old, past and future interact and reinforce each other. This is also where the contemporary is to the highest degree. The university library is a constantly open, reliable and accessible resource primarily for students, teachers and researchers, but also for the general public, says Johanna Hansson.
Well acquainted with the workplace
She is a trained librarian and has worked as a manager at various libraries for the past 20 years, including as city librarian in Uppsala and area manager within Stockholm’s city library. Johanna was president of the Swedish Library Association between 2018 and 2022. Since 2019, she has been assistant chief librarian at Uppsala University Library, so even though she is new to the chief librarian job, she is well familiar with her workplace.
-The library exists for its users. I look forward to collaborating broadly within the entire university and to contributing, together with colleagues at other libraries, to the necessary national coordination in areas such as digitization and long-term collection building, says Johanna Hansson.
Coco Norén feels secure with the new recruitment of a new chief librarian:
– We have had an extensive process and Johanna Hansson was chosen by a unanimous committee in tough competition. We are so happy to hire her as the new chief librarian at Uppsala University. Johanna Hansson has a solid library background and a great commitment to developing the library’s role at Uppsala University, says Coco Norén.