Showing libraries’ contribution to development
IFLA produces a variety of materials and tools to help libraries win and maintain support for their work, helping them to show concretely the difference they can make in the lives of individuals and communities.
Much of this work is structured around the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which provides a comprehensive and shared roadmap not only for governments, but for all stakeholders, everywhere.
Through their global application, the emphasis they give to the importance of access to information, and the opportunities for engagement, the SDGs provide a powerful structure for talking about the difference libraries can make.
IFLA’s Library Map of the World is at the heart of this effort, providing data and demonstrating impact through SDG Stories and country profiles. Building on these, IFLA develops analyses and other tools which can support advocacy.
Our Development and Access to Information (DA2I) report tracks progress towards SDG commitments and provides expert insights on how information and libraries make a difference in delivering on the Goals.
You find further resources explaining the contribution of libraries to development on the supporting national and regional advocacy page, including our booklet on Access and Opportunity for All, as well as the 2014 Lyon Declaration signed by over 600 organisations.
In addition to these flagship initiatives, IFLA produces a wide variety of articles and papers from across library sectors, designed to show contributions across the different dimensions of sustainable development.
We also strongly encourage you to use the materials prepared and shared by our Members to support your own work.