Supporting the Sustainable Development Goals

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda is a framework of seventeen goals for economic, environmental and social development around the world.

While the SDGs are universal goals, each country is responsible for developing and implementing national strategies to achieve them, and is expected to track and report progress. Libraries are in a unique position to contribute to these efforts with programs and initiatives that promote the SDGs and foster meaningful change in their communities.

During Global Goals Week (17-26 September 2021), NSLA, ALIA and other lead agencies for libraries partnered to launch stretch targets for the sector to achieve by 2030, aligned with the United Nations’ SDGs.

NSLA has a lead agency role in the Australian library sector for the four goals detailed below.

SDG 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

Library sector target: Public libraries are acknowledged as centres for personal development and wellbeing.

What we are doing:

Case studies included in the revised Public Libraries Statistical Survey reports on number of library program sessions by program outcome, including personal development and wellbeing.
Full report on responses to Covid-19 in NSLA libraries – with a focus on HR response to support staff and community wellbeing – completed in 2020.

SDG 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

Library sector target: As a sector we commit to lifelong learning for our own workforce and we provide opportunities for all Australians to pursue lifelong learning.

What we are doing:

From 2021-22, the Australian Public Libraries Statistical Survey reports on the number of library program sessions by program outcome: literacy and lifelong learning; informed and connected citizens; digital inclusion; personal development and wellbeing; stronger and more creative communities; and, economic and workforce development.
Rolling program of webinars and professional development opportunities for the LIS workforce.
Individual NSLA member libraries continue to provide extensive, accessible and free public events, resources and learning programs.

SDG 4.6: Ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy

Library sector target: Libraries’ contribution to literacy in all its forms is recognised and libraries are embedded in national strategies for early language and literacy, digital inclusion and media literacy.

What we are doing:

NSLA is a member of the National Early Language and Literacy Coalition, which launched the Proposed National Early Language and Literacy Strategy in September 2021. Further advocacy is being undertaken to encourage adoption by federal, state and territory governments.
NSLA is a member of the Australian Media Literacy Alliance and supported the development of the Media Literacy Framework.
Individual NSLA member libraries offer accessible early learning programs and adult literacy programs, including English language and conversation classes for CALD communities.

SDG 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development

These include, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.

Library sector target: In collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, libraries have adopted practices to ensure management and access to collections and services is culturally informed and respectful.

What we are doing:

Following rollout of CORE cultural training to 1800 staff across all nine Australian NSLA libraries (2019-2021), NSLA has continued with a consortium subscription to CORE so that all new staff in have access to the training.
As a means of maintaining momentum after the formal Culturally Safe Libraries Program, NSLA members in Australia agreed to run an Indigenous cultural capability audit for five years from 2021.
All NSLA libraries acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which they are located and include welcomes in local Indigenous languages where appropriate for public events.
Case studies focused on the ATSILIRN protocols were produced as part of the Culturally Safe Libraries Program and have been made available for public access since 2020.
The Contemporary Indigenous collections audit (2020-21) analysed over 18,000 collection items from four member libraries, resulting in over 30 recommendations for collections teams relating to metadata and acquisition.
A joint project with ALIA/CAUL/CAVAL/AIATSIS to produce guidelines for First Nations collection description is underway, including an examination of current practice.
NSLA hosted a masterclass on ICIP for staff in December 2022, with internal workshops following in all member libraries.
Australian state and territory members have jointly commissioned ICIP policy templates and checklists from the Arts Law Centre, expected for completion in late-2023.

Library sector target: Library workforce, collections and services reflect the diversity of Australia’s population and local communities. Asylum seekers and refugees have access to library collections and services which recognise their needs.

What we are doing:

NSLA libraries collect and share workforce data by request of the NSLA Board. The annual Indigenous cultural capability audit (running 2021-2025) tracks the proportion of the workforce in NSLA libraries identifying as Indigenous.
From 2021-22, the Australian Public Libraries Statistical Survey reports on the number of library program sessions by program outcome: literacy and lifelong learning; informed and connected citizens; digital inclusion; personal development and wellbeing; stronger and more creative communities; and, economic and workforce development.

Our Work