A Social Justice Mission - Libraries, Employment and Entrepreneurship

Abstract

The World Day of Social Justice focuses on the steps that need to be taken to ensure that globalisation and change benefits everyone. The new opportunities brought should give all who can the chance to find decent work, or start their own business.

While libraries have traditionally been considered more focused on education and culture, they have an important role in supporting broader social justice goals.

Through providing access to information, both traditionally and digitally, through developing new courses and services to help users, and through tailoring approaches to those who need it, they are having a real impact.

With Sustainable Development Goal 8 (Decent Work and Growth) in focus this year, this paper explores some of the examples presented at World Library and Information Congresses of what libraries can do.

With the support of government and partnerships with others, we hope that the contribution of libraries to social justice will continue to grow into the future.