Checklists to reporting value: Using website elements to demonstrate Aotearoa New Zealand public libraries' contribution towards the UN SDGs

Abstract

Well-designed and culturally reflective public library websites meet the needs and expectations of their library users to provide information about programmes, services, and resources. As the digital public face of libraries, website elements also provide a reflection of prioritised policies and library activities. There is a vital need to communicate library value to stakeholders within an easily understood framework. This pilot study used elements from an updated website evaluation checklist and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework to provide a measurable indication of library value and impact. The website evaluation checklist was updated in a previous study to assess the presence of programmes, services, resources, and elements relevant to the New Zealand bicultural context such as te reo Māori usage and Māori-related content. Results illustrated how website elements were mapped to SDGs with guiding information from IFLA Library Map of the World and ALIA 2018 SDGs template for public libraries. Frequency analysis of elements and evaluation of selected New Zealand public library websites provided measurable data to demonstrate contribution towards meeting the SDGs. The proposed method provides evidence-based data for advocacy and highlights areas where there are opportunities for improvement.