Library Associations Advancing the SDGs
See resources below to learn about the work of library associations advancing the SDGs. Link to the buttons below to learn about resources in these areas.
International Library Associations
- International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)
- Powering Sustainable Development
- The Library Map of the World - organizations can learn about or add their "SDG Stories" of how libraries have contributed towards an SDG.
- United Nations. Contribution of Libraries to the SDGs. https://sdgs.un.org/partnerships/contribution-libraries-sdgs
Regional Library Associations
Africa
- Over the years, AfLIA has implemented several open knowledge initiatives aimed at creating awareness, developing the capacity of African library and information professionals and enhancing advocacy on openness in the continent. While these initiatives have made significant impact, much more is required to bridge the existing awareness and knowledge gap on the culture of openness in Africa. https://web.aflia.net/aflia-receives-funding-to-boost-sensitization-capacity-development-and-advocacy-in-inclusive-openness-in-africa/
- IFLA Declaration in Africa
- Deliberated on the status of libraries in the continent and the progress required to meet the global sustainable development goals;
- Inspired by the principles enshrined in the Charter for African Cultural Renaissance and global sustainable development agenda;
- Inspired by the level of commitment to prioritise and resource libraries as part of Africa Agenda 2063; http://www.ifla.org/files/assets/wlic/2015/documents/cape-town-declaration-of-ministers.pdf
Library & Information Association of South Africa (LIASA)
- South African Library Week 2025. As part of the South African Library Week 2025 activities, Deputy Minister Peace Mabe visited the school to engage with learners on the role of libraries in building sustainable communities and the importance of embracing our national symbols. https://www.liasa.org.za/news/696024/South-African-Library-Week-Launch-.htm
- South African Library Week 2025 - Libraries for Sustainable Communities. https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.liasa.org.za/resource/resmgr/salw/salw_2025/salw_program_dsac_version.pdf
- Research by Bangani, S., & Dube, L. (2023). Academic libraries and the actualisation of Sustainable Development Goals two, three and thirteen. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 56(3), 773-784. https://doi.org/10.1177/09610006231174650 (Original work published 2024) https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/09610006231174650#bibr81-09610006231174650
National Associations and Related Institutions
- American Library Association (ALA)
- The ALA Task Force on United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals has created downloadable materials for libraries to promote and advance the SDGs.
- IRRT International Sustainable Library Development Interest Group - The ISLD serves as a clearinghouse of sustainable community-based library projects in developing areas of the world. This group mobilizes the power of ALA librarians to raise awareness of and make significant contributions to international library development. Librarians in developing countries can tap into resources for training and projects in their libraries.
- Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA)
- Australian Libraries Support the Sustainable Development Goals (January 2018)
- Sustainable Development Goals: Stretch Targets for Australian Libraries 2020-2030 (1 November 2021) - report from the annual SDG Roundtable for representatives from different sectors of the library field, which identified five areas of focus and 13 action points aligned with the Stretch Targets.
- Norwegian Library Association [Norsk Bibliotekforening]. The UN's Sustainable Development Goals and library.[Use your browser's translator to translate from Norwegian to your language.]
- Norwegian Children's Book Institute [Norsk Barnebokinstitutt]. The sustainability library - "This is a Norwegian version of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals Book Club, and is adapted for children aged 6-12. It consists of children's literary book lists with activities for all 17 sustainability goals, and offers participants a literary and conversation-based understanding of the world's common work plan. The sustainability library has been developed in collaboration between many children's literary actors. The secretariat is at the Norwegian Children's Book Institute."
Associations by Library Type
- 2024 ARL President's Institute (Association of Research Libraries), February 8, 2024; San Diego | Theme: Embracing Sustainability—Libraries Leading the Way. Using the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a tool for fostering individual and collective awareness and imagination, the 2024 President’s Institute will explore how libraries and museums contribute to sustainable development and how we can build awareness and actively participate in furthering this work.