The Library's unique collections date back to the League of Nations, including some rare materials from the pre-League period.

The UNOG Library is placed directly under the purview of the UNOG Director-General and its mandate is to perform three core functions.

As the United Nations European Library, the Library:

• supports the documentary and informational needs of library users;
• manages the UNOG Library's heritage of valuable collections;
• processes and extracts information from its collections for inclusion in databases and publications.

As coordinator of the UNOG Archives, the Library:

• establishes archival policies for UNOG;
• manages UNOG Registry and administrative records;
• manages UNOG and League of Nations historical archives, as well as the League of Nations Museum.

As coordinator of UNOG Cultural activities, the Library:

• coordinates the policy, implements the programme developed in the context of the Global Agenda for Dialogue among Civilizations, and chairs the UNOG Cultural Activities Committee