Library Science Talks: Sigrun Habermann, United Nations Library Geneva

A Step in the Evolution of a Library: The Knowledge & Learning Commons of the United Nations Geneva

Located in a wing of the famous Palais des Nations, a neo-classical and art-deco building of the 1930s dedicated to peace through diplomacy, the Library of the United Nations Geneva serves diplomats, conference delegates and thousands of researchers around the world every year.

In 2019, the Library launched the Knowledge & Learning Commons for UN Geneva in its building. The initiative leverages existing spaces, information resources and learning and event management capacities and networks to encourage diplomats and staff to innovate, collaborate and co-create on topics relevant to professionals in the area of multilateralism.

This presentation will give you an insight into the concept of a library commons, the path of implementation taken at the United Nations Geneva, and the opportunities and outcomes that it can generate.

Sigrun Habermann is head of the Library Services Section of the United Nations Library Geneva, where she oversees knowledge services provided online and in person to UN staff, diplomats, and researchers from outside the organization. She also manages the Library’s flagship discussion series “Library Talks” and participates in developing and leading the “Knowledge & Learning Commons” initiative.

In previous positions, Habermann managed the League of Nations and United Nations Archives and records management service and worked in various public and academic libraries, as well as in documentation centers in Germany and the United States.

She holds a Master of Science in International Relations from Troy State University, North Carolina branch, a master’s degree in Library and Information Science from the State University of New York, Albany, which she accomplished on a Fulbright scholarship, and a bachelor’s degree in information science from Hochschule der Medien, Stuttgart, Germany.

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