SDG Stories

WHY?

In the context of the United Nations 2030 Agenda, which is an inclusive, integrated framework of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) spanning economic, environmental and social development, IFLA believes that increasing access to information and knowledge across society, assisted by the availability of information and communication technologies, supports sustainable development and improves people’s lives.

Libraries are key institutions to help achieve the Goals by providing communities with access to timely and relevant information that helps to eradicate poverty and inequality, to improve agriculture, to provide quality education, and to support people’s health, culture, research and innovation.

To demonstrate the potential of the global library field we need compelling evidence demonstrating libraries’ contribution to the UN SDGs and impact in the communities they serve.

IFLA Library Map of the World aims to address the need of the library field to tell and share convincing evidence-based stories.

The goal of the Library Map of the World SDG stories section is to collect SDG stories from libraries and countries across the world.

WHAT?

IFLA Library Map of the World SDG Stories section aims to serve as the unifying platform providing access to SDG stories that demonstrate how libraries in different countries contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and serve as partners in meeting local development needs.

Libraries and access to information contribute to improved outcomes across all the SDGs. The Library Map of the World is looking for high quality stories of library activities, projects and programs having a substantial impact on communities and supported by compelling evidence.

Many libraries have existing programmes or activities that relate to the UN SDGs. Examples include:

  • Public access to information, training in new skills, and services that give people opportunities to improve their lives
  • Access to research and data on crops, market information and farming methods that supports resilient, productive agriculture
  • Access to health information helps people to be better informed about their health and stay healthy
  • Access to and supporting literacy programs and providing a safe space for learning for people of all ages
  • Safe meeting spaces and programmes for women and girls on rights and health and conducting ICT training and literacy programmes that empower women and help them to develop entrepreneurial skills
  • Public access to information on water and sanitation
  • Access to light and electricity to read, study and apply for a job
  • Public access to ICT and training at libraries enables people to become more entrepreneurial, find the right job, complete online applications, and write support materials
  • Access to high speed Internet, research infrastructure and skilled professional
  • Safe, civic spaces open to all and located in urban and rural areas across the world
  • Access to data, research and knowledge that supports informed research and public access to information about climate change and biodiversity
  • Help to governments, institutions and individuals to communicate, organise, structure and use information effectively for development

 

The Library Map of the World provides a place to tell your story!

HOW?

IFLA is engaging with participants of the IFLA International Advocacy Programme (IAP), individual libraries and library support organisations in countries of all regions to identify outstanding examples. These stories will be available to all, as ideas for other libraries and for use in advocacy activities.

If you have a story to tell, please use this SDG Storytelling Flowchart to better understand if your story is suitable for the Library Map of the World, to check if you have all elements you need and if you are ready to submit it!

Learn more about elements of compelling evidence-based stories in the Storytelling Manual. This practical guide will support you in the process of preparing and submitting your story to the Library Map of the World.

Submit your story through this electronic submission form.

Library Map of the World team is here to assist you. Please do not hesitate to reach out at: librarymap@ifla.org.

WHEN?

You can submit your story at any time. Submit your story through this electronic submission form.