Spectral dependences of the total absorption cross sections in the region of the 1s ionization threshold of molecular nitrogen are determined for the first time with a high energy resolution using synchrotron radiation from the Russian-German channel of the BESSY II electron storage ring and continuous radiation from an x-ray tube. For N₂, partial N1s absorption cross sections are derived and the oscillator strengths for the vibrational and Rydberg transition series are evaluated from the measurements carried out with due account of the background and instrumental distortions.