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4. Public Libraries’ Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Gathering Evidence and Evaluating Practices in Portugal
  • Leonor Gaspar and Paula Ochôa
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Going Green: Implementing Sustainable Strategies in Libraries Around the World
This chapter is in the book Going Green: Implementing Sustainable Strategies in Libraries Around the World

Abstract

Initiated in November 2016, the project Bibliotecas Publicas e Sustentabilidade: Recolha de Evidencias da Contribuicao para os ODS [Public Libraries and Sustainability: Gathering Evidence of Contribution to SDGs (Project PLS)] aims to develop a framework for evaluating public libraries’ contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and tailor it to Portuguese public libraries. This paper discusses the role of impact evaluation practices and competencies in the processes of gathering evidence and advocacy towards libraries’ contribution to the UN 2030 Agenda, focusing on the project’s first stages. After presenting the research background and general methodological frame, the relevant approaches, methods and tools for assessing libraries’ contribution to sustainable development (SD) are examined, particularly the impact evaluation perspective. The resulting Model for Evaluating Public Libraries’ Contribution to SDGs is discussed as well as the alignment process with SD goals and national priorities by using the SDG# Mapping Tool. Finally, some key aspects of the ongoing research are presented.

Abstract

Initiated in November 2016, the project Bibliotecas Publicas e Sustentabilidade: Recolha de Evidencias da Contribuicao para os ODS [Public Libraries and Sustainability: Gathering Evidence of Contribution to SDGs (Project PLS)] aims to develop a framework for evaluating public libraries’ contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and tailor it to Portuguese public libraries. This paper discusses the role of impact evaluation practices and competencies in the processes of gathering evidence and advocacy towards libraries’ contribution to the UN 2030 Agenda, focusing on the project’s first stages. After presenting the research background and general methodological frame, the relevant approaches, methods and tools for assessing libraries’ contribution to sustainable development (SD) are examined, particularly the impact evaluation perspective. The resulting Model for Evaluating Public Libraries’ Contribution to SDGs is discussed as well as the alignment process with SD goals and national priorities by using the SDG# Mapping Tool. Finally, some key aspects of the ongoing research are presented.

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Contents V
  3. About IFLA IX
  4. Preface 1
  5. Part 1: General
  6. 1. A Garden on the Roof Doesn’t Make a Library Green 5
  7. 2. Libraries Sow the Seed of a Sustainable Society 22
  8. 3. Contemplative Pedagogy 32
  9. 4. Public Libraries’ Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals 46
  10. 5. Environmental Responsibility in Brazilian Libraries 60
  11. Part 2: Public Libraries
  12. 6. The Green Corner at Vaggeryd Public Library 77
  13. 7. Action to Combat Climate Change and its Impact 86
  14. 8. The BookboXX 94
  15. 9. Garbage Hero 103
  16. 10. From a Green Library to a Sustainable Library 110
  17. 11. Urban Gardening, Foodsharing and Makerspaces 122
  18. 12. Green Library of the Neighbourhood 135
  19. 13. The Green Story of the Public Library Užice, Serbia 142
  20. Part 3: Academic Libraries
  21. 14. More Than Just a Green Building 155
  22. 15. The Awareness of Young African Students to Protection of the Environment 173
  23. 16. Challenges and Opportunities in Implementing a Sustainable Approach at Academic Libraries 181
  24. 17. Information Dissemination is Not Enough 197
  25. 18. Going Green to Embrace Aesthetic Reflections and Sustainable Library Buildings 210
  26. Appendix
  27. Abbreviations 229
  28. Contributors 232
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110608878-006

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Contents V
  3. About IFLA IX
  4. Preface 1
  5. Part 1: General
  6. 1. A Garden on the Roof Doesn’t Make a Library Green 5
  7. 2. Libraries Sow the Seed of a Sustainable Society 22
  8. 3. Contemplative Pedagogy 32
  9. 4. Public Libraries’ Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals 46
  10. 5. Environmental Responsibility in Brazilian Libraries 60
  11. Part 2: Public Libraries
  12. 6. The Green Corner at Vaggeryd Public Library 77
  13. 7. Action to Combat Climate Change and its Impact 86
  14. 8. The BookboXX 94
  15. 9. Garbage Hero 103
  16. 10. From a Green Library to a Sustainable Library 110
  17. 11. Urban Gardening, Foodsharing and Makerspaces 122
  18. 12. Green Library of the Neighbourhood 135
  19. 13. The Green Story of the Public Library Užice, Serbia 142
  20. Part 3: Academic Libraries
  21. 14. More Than Just a Green Building 155
  22. 15. The Awareness of Young African Students to Protection of the Environment 173
  23. 16. Challenges and Opportunities in Implementing a Sustainable Approach at Academic Libraries 181
  24. 17. Information Dissemination is Not Enough 197
  25. 18. Going Green to Embrace Aesthetic Reflections and Sustainable Library Buildings 210
  26. Appendix
  27. Abbreviations 229
  28. Contributors 232
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