By Ahmad | Week 2 | Wednesday | 11 June 2025

A session with Clara M. Chu, Director and Mortenson Distinguished Professor, highlighting the vital role and contributions of libraries in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.

Clara reminded us that libraries are agents of sustainable change not just environmentally, but also through sustaining information systems, technologies, and equitable access to knowledge that support the United Nations’ global goals.

In 2015, the United Nations introduced 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all by 2030. Libraries aren’t just about books anymore. They’re deeply embedded in their communities promoting access to knowledge, empowering people, and now, driving sustainability.

In the information context, sustainability means more than going green. It’s about maintaining information systems, technologies, and access that support the SDGs. Whether through digital inclusion, sustainable resources, or community engagement, libraries play a critical role.

Clara also shared, “If you’re curious about how your country is doing on the SDGs for example, Malaysia according to sdg.data.gov, it scores 69.32 and ranks 79 out of 166 countries. But beyond the numbers, real progress happens when communities and libraries take action on the ground.

I also shared examples and initiatives from my library, Sarawak State Library, Malaysia. In Sarawak, we are proud that the Sarawak State Library has been entrusted by the Premier of Sarawak to lead SDG awareness and advocacy efforts. Our vision is to create a sustainable Sarawak that balances ecological, social, and economic dimensions for lasting prosperity. Among our ongoing initiatives are hosting seminars, public talks, and focus group discussions, conducting research on sustainability perceptions among Sarawakians, producing promotional videos, launching impact studies, publishing a book on Sarawak’s sustainability journey, and advocating for stronger environmental legislation.

Clara also shared an example from the University of Illinois Library’s mission statement, which inspired us to redefine our library’s role to better meet today’s challenges.

A sustainable library embraces various thematic areas, including green building and environment through energy-efficient spaces and eco-friendly programs, sustainable resources such as digital collections and inclusive staff development, smart technologies like virtualization, cloud computing, and mobile applications, as well as quality services that focus on innovation, community-centered programs, and regular service audits.

Clara also emphasized the importance of contributing and encouraged us to explore how others are making an impact or to share our own stories through the IFLA Library Map of the World. In Sarawak, Malaysia, we have already contributed to the map, and I know I’ll be sharing more of our Sarawak journey soon there’s still so much to tell.

During this session, there was a group exercise to propose library activities, as well as individual contributions. Some participants shared, deliberated, and discussed their ideas with Clara.