As an Individual & Societies teacher, I try to promote the United Nations 17 SDGs . I must admit though, I had never really thought through how libraries are connected with them. Msauki (2021, p. 39) states that libraries are essential in strengthening democracy by providing equitable, open and safe access to information. After reading Msauki’s article (2021), I saw immediately how well libraries do fit the SDGs, particularly #4 (Quality Education) and #9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) (United Nations, n.d.) The potential to advocate for quality education and to model and provide safe innovative practices in the school library should be of priority. The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) goes further however, and states that libraries can promote ALL of the SDGs and provides practical ideas of how each SDG can be supported through libraries (IFLA, 2018). It also gives instructions on how to create evidence-based digital stories to advocate for the SDGs for its Library Map of the World (IFLA, 2018).
Against this background of libraries promoting the SDGs, Msauki (2021) writes about how libraries can incorporate the benefits of Web 4.0, at the same time being aware and mitigating some of the disruptive elements that come with them. Msauki (2021, p. 34) proposes that Maker-spaces, block-chain technology, artificial intelligence techniques, augmented reality, and cloud computing could be at home in the Library 4.0, but not without challenges.
Clearly, the implementation of the above can be very expensive, and there are issues of access, technological infrastructure and funding (Msauki 2021, p. 34). Fear of new technologies may also hold libraries back (Msauki, 2021, p. 39-40). Libraries can promote the SDGs without all the “bells and whistles” of Web 4.0. However, we could do it better if given the opportunity of access and training, in order for librarians to become “thought leaders” (Hussain, 2020, p.4), rather than trailing behind the technology curve.
When thinking of my own school, rather than be overwhelmed by all this (the tone of my erased first draft), we could work more closely with our IT team to gain more of an understanding of cloud computing and how blockchains work. Keeping our digital and media literacy curriculum updated with practical sessions for students based within the context of their learning is also crucial (Msauki, 2021, p. 40). Prioritizing time to read recent research, such as the recent Brookings Report (Hirsh-Paseck et al., 2022) and to discuss with colleagues would also encourage peer support and curiosity. These may be considered small steps, but they are important in order to provide the service that our students need for their futures.
Word count: 439
References
Hirsh-Paseck, K., Zosh, J. M., Adani, H. S., Golincoff, R. M., Clark, K., Donohue, C., & Wartella, E. (2022, May 14). A whole new world: Education meets the metaverse. Brookings. https://www.brookings.edu/research/a-whole-new-world-education-meets-the-metaverse/
Hussain, A. (2019). Industrial revolution 4.0: Implication to libraries and librarians. Library Hi Tech News, 37(1), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHTN-05-2019-0033
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutes. (n.d.). Library map of the world: SDG stories. Library Map of the World. https://librarymap.ifla.org/stories
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. (2018). Libraries and the Sustainable Development Goals: A storytelling manual. International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. https://www.ifla.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/assets/hq/topics/libraries-development/documents/sdg-storytelling-manual.pdf
Msauki, G. (2021). Library 4.0 sustainable development: Opportunities and challenges. In J. Phiri Chigwada & N. M. Nwaohiri (Eds.), Examining the impact of industry 4.0 on academic libraries (pp. 34-44). Emerald Publishing. https://web-p-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.csu.edu.au/ehost/ebookviewer/ebook/bmxlYmtfXzI1MDU1NTFfX0FO0?sid=56ed028b-ae62-4b8a-a2df-15d548f53997%40redis&vid=0&format=EB&lpid=lp_5&rid=0
United Nations. (n.d.). The 17 goals. Make the SDGs a Reality. https://sdgs.un.org/goals
I love that you are thinking about how to apply methods to contribute to the United Nations SDGs within your own school. I think the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals can be applicable to everyone and not used as a way to hold the most damaging organisations and companies responsible but can be used as a wider global effort to participate in the sustainability of this world and for future generations. Which is really what it’s all about. I find that there are many overlapping goals between libraries and other information organisations and the UN’s SDGs, as they both aim to make a better world for future generations by preserving information, knowledge and other resources.
Hi Angela,
Thanks for a very interesting post! We use the UN’s SDGs as inspiration for the regular “Think About…” display/installation in our high school library. Most recently we’ve focused on the future of food security and what that will look like in 2050. I feel very fortunate that the school library in which I work is forward-thinking and intentional about challenging the students’ thoughts on particular topics – the Sustainable Development Goals are ideal for framing some thought-provoking conversations with students. Incorporating Web 4.0 technologies into the mix would only enhance this!
Can I add that I really appreciated the first-draft-tone comment – totally understand this sentiment and have deleted much of what I’ve written for the same reason 🙂
Thanks for your post and all the best with your studies!
Susie