Norway's new National Librarian Åse Wetås will transition from leading the Language Council to overseeing the nation's entire published memory. The Ministry of Culture and Equality confirmed the appointment of the current Director of Språkrådet to the top post at the National Library. Wetås succeeds Aslak Sira Myhre, with the precise handover date still to be finalized.
A Vote of Confidence from the Minister
Culture and Equality Minister Lubna Jaffery expressed strong support for the incoming leader. In a formal statement, Jaffery highlighted Wetås's qualifications for the significant societal role. "Wetås has solid leadership experience and a good understanding of the societal mission," Jaffery said. "I am sure that the National Library is in safe hands under her leadership." This endorsement underscores the government's confidence in Wetås's ability to guide one of Norway's foremost cultural institutions.
The appointment places Wetås at the helm of an institution tasked with a monumental mandate. The National Library is responsible for collecting, preserving, and making accessible all published material in Norway. This includes everything from historic books and newspapers to modern digital publications and websites. Its collections form the foundational record of Norwegian intellectual and cultural life.
From Language Guardian to Memory Keeper
Åse Wetås brings a specific and highly relevant expertise to the role. Her tenure as director of Språkrådet, the Language Council of Norway, has centered on the protection and evolution of the Norwegian language. The council advises on language use, promotes linguistic diversity, and works to strengthen the position of the Norwegian language in society. This deep immersion in issues of cultural identity and heritage provides a direct through-line to the National Library's core mission.
Leading Språkrådet requires navigating complex linguistic politics between Bokmål and Nynorsk, the two official written standards. It also involves engaging with contemporary challenges like digital communication and the influence of English. This experience equips Wetås with a nuanced understanding of how culture and language are preserved and how they change. These skills are directly transferable to managing a national archive in the digital age.
The National Library itself operates from two main physical hubs. Its modern annex in the Bjørvika district of Oslo houses much of its public-facing operations and collections. The historic building at Drammensveien 42, known for its iconic columned facade, remains a key part of its identity. The institution is also a major driver of digital access through services like the National Library's digital book service.
The Scale of the Task Ahead
The operational scale of the National Library is vast. It holds millions of physical items, including books, newspapers, magazines, maps, and music. Its mandate extends to all Norwegian digital domains, requiring sophisticated systems for web archiving. The library must balance the preservation of fragile historical materials with the development of cutting-edge digital infrastructure. This dual responsibility defines the modern challenge for any national librarian.
Wetås will inherit several ongoing strategic initiatives. These likely include further expansion of digital archives, projects to make more historical collections publicly available online, and continued efforts to secure comprehensive legal deposit of all published material. The library also plays a key research role, supporting academic work in the humanities and digital scholarship. Her leadership will shape Norway's approach to preserving its digital heritage for future generations.
Her predecessor, Aslak Sira Myhre, led the institution through a period of significant digital transformation and public outreach. The incoming librarian will now be tasked with building upon that foundation. The ministry's statement did not provide a reason for Myhre's departure or detail his future plans. The transition period will allow for a structured handover of responsibilities and ongoing projects.
Navigating Future Cultural Policy
The appointment links two pivotal institutions under the Ministry of Culture and Equality. Språkrådet focuses on the living, evolving tool of language. The National Library is concerned with the fixed, recorded outputs of that language. Wetås's move signifies a unique crossover of expertise at the highest administrative level. It suggests a government preference for leaders with deep, specialized cultural policy experience.
This role places Wetås at the center of discussions about copyright, open access, and public information in Norway. The National Library's work directly impacts researchers, authors, publishers, and the general public. Decisions made about digital preservation and access have long-term consequences for Norwegian scholarship and cultural memory. Her background in language policy, which often involves balancing tradition with modernization, will be critically tested in this arena.
No major organizational changes were announced alongside the appointment. The focus of the ministry's communication was squarely on Wetås's personal qualifications and the continuity of leadership. This indicates an expectation of stable stewardship rather than an immediate shift in direction. The incoming librarian will have the opportunity to assess the institution's needs and formulate her own strategic priorities after assuming the role.
A Look to the Future
The ultimate success of this appointment will be measured in decades, not years. The effects of decisions on digital archiving standards or collection priorities may not be fully apparent for a generation. Wetås's understanding of language as a dynamic system could influence how the library approaches the preservation of new media and non-traditional publications. Her challenge will be to ensure the collection remains as vibrant and diverse as the society it documents.
With the handover date pending, the National Library's staff and stakeholders await her formal start. The ministry expressed certainty in its choice, framing it as a safe pair of hands for a national treasure. As Norway continues to produce an ever-growing mountain of digital and physical content, the person in charge of preserving it all has never been more important. Åse Wetås now steps into that crucial role, moving from guiding how Norwegians write their language to safeguarding everything they write.