RWI mourns the passing of Lena Olsson, our Senior Librarian

Lena was instrumental in transforming the RWI Human Rights Library into a modern library with global reach and impact. The Library, under Lena’s leadership, was once hailed as “the most convincing repository analyzed in the course of research in Western Europe.” She played a pivotal role in advising and supporting human rights libraries, including increasing their access to online resources, as part of RWI’s institutional partnerships around the world. She undertook frequent missions abroad to personally visit our partner institutions, fellow librarians, and colleagues. She was deeply committed to expanding access to human rights resources, especially in places where resources were very limited. Passion, openness, and curiosity characterized Lena in all her undertakings.

The RWI Human Rights Library in Lund was very dear to Lena. She was involved in every aspect of its operation and did her utmost to ensure its continuation and success. When RWI was awarded a grant to support the continued operation of the Library, this was a profoundly proud and happy moment for Lena. This outcome, we recognize, is very much owed to Lena’s decades-long tireless dedication to the Library.

Lena had a rare gift – she had the ability to bond with anyone who would set foot in the Library and would cross her path on her many RWI missions abroad. This included countless students and alumni of the LL.M programme on human rights, researchers affiliated with RWI, visiting dignitaries, faculty across Lund University, and colleagues at numerous partner institutions. Gentle, warm, knowledgeable, and inviting, she had an extraordinary spirit. She was generous with her time and always had a positive outlook on life. As one former student said when learning of Lena’s passing: “A rare person whose innate goodness and warmth touches everyone.”

Lena was always and wholly committed to advancing human rights and the role of the Library in it. Even beyond her retirement, she never stopped wanting to learn more. She not only looked after human rights books, knowledge, and resources as a librarian; she also looked after individuals, regardless of who they were and where they came from. In this sense, Lena embodied the most fundamental human rights values.

Lena will be deeply missed in Lund and across the globe.

Her legacy lives on not only in the walls of the RWI Human Rights Library she so passionately nurtured, but in the hearts and minds of all those she inspired. We at RWI will continue to honor her and will carry her memory forward by reaffirming our commitment to our mission and to our network of partners and friends around the world, with the same inclusive, curious, and innovative spirit.