Re-imaging Community Engagement in University Libraries toward Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

The research examines the role of university libraries in North-Eastern India as community hubs for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on their potential to foster social advancement through innovative community engagement. This study primarily investigates the dissemination of services by libraries regarding SDGs and the methods employed for dissemination. It also provides an overview of the challenges faced by libraries in this process. The study observes that universities in the North-Eastern Region emphasize the importance of fulfilling the SDGs. It notes that SDGs 4, 5, and 6 are more frequently practiced by libraries through community engagement initiatives. University libraries also prioritize partnerships with schools, colleges, rural, and small libraries as major strategies for enhancing community engagement services. Both offline and online methods are utilized for disseminating community engagement services, with newsletters and social media platforms (Facebook, WhatsApp) being the most prominent in each respective category. Additionally, the study identifies the lack of funds as one of the key challenges faced by libraries, which hampers their ability to provide community engagement services to users within the community.