Supporting, Integrating and Delivering: Library Associations and the SDGs

Abstract

In addition to strong awareness of the SDGs in general, library associations are generally active in raising awareness amongst their members and supporting them to raise awareness among communities. This makes them potentially highly relevant partners both for the UN and for wider development education actors. Over half of library associations have integrated the SDGs into their own planning, and over 40% have staff or committees with an explicit focus on the Goals, demonstrating widespread uptake of the 2030 Agenda’s call on all stakeholders to make the Goals part of their own work. There is scope to draw on this experience to help more still embrace the Goals as a structure for their planning. Around half of associations have incorporated the SDGs into their advocacy work. There is scope here too to draw on existing experience to help more associations do this, either explicitly in their messaging, or as a means for identifying and structuring areas of focus. While around a fifth of associations have already engaged in formal SDG processes like Voluntary National Reviews, or established links with SDG Coordinators, there is more than could be done – both from the side of SDG authorities and libraries.