Call for expressions of interest: member libraries' contributions to UN Sustainable Development Goals

1. Project overview

SCONUL is seeking expressions of interest from member libraries to participate in a project highlighting their contributions to sustainability, equality and civic and community engagement initiatives. This initiative will showcase 8-12 case studies demonstrating how academic libraries support their institutions' priorities related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Involvement will include meeting with the project consultant to discuss their initiative. The consultant will then draft the case study before final consultation and sign off.  The case studies will be promoted via a number of routes including the SCONUL website

The case studies will provide a source of inspiration and good practice to other libraries and collectively will showcase the contribution that libraries make to their institutions’ wider missions.

2. Areas of focus

We are open to considering any project which can be shown to deliver on one or more of the 17 SDGs.  These might include initiatives addressing:

• Climate action (SDG 13) such as creating research guides and curated collections on climate change topics or taking a leading role in institutional drives to reduce the institution’s carbon footprint.
  
• Quality Education (SDG 4) (to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all) which might include developing partnerships with local schools and community organisations to widen participation or offering digital skills training for underserved communities.
  
  
• Reduced inequalities (SDG 10) which might include decolonisation of collections; support for widening participation initiatives or those which address race, class or other barriers to work and education.
  
  
• Gender equality (SDG 5) such as building inclusive collections that represent diverse perspectives, providing specialised research support for equality-focused projects or developing mentoring programmes.
  
  
• Decent work and economic growth (SDG 8) such as initiatives for inclusive recruitment or measure to support the wellbeing of staff within and beyond the library.
  

3. Benefits of participation

Selected libraries will have the opportunity to:

• showcase your library's alignment with institutional sustainable development goals
• contribute to sector-wide knowledge sharing
• support advocacy for academic libraries' role in sustainable development.

4. How to express interest

Please submit a brief outline (maximum 500 words) describing:

• your library's SDG-related initiative(s)
• any outcomes and impact so far
• details for the primary point of contact.

5. Timeline

• Expressions of interest should be submitted by 28 February.
• The project will involve remote interviews and discussions via Zoom.
• For questions or submissions, please contact Ann Rossiter at ann.rossiter@sconul.ac.uk.