Libraries as agents for development: The potential role of Egyptian rural public libraries towards the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals based on the UN 2030 Agenda

Abstract

The key purpose of this study is to investigate the potential role of Egyptian rural public libraries, being one of the social agents for development, towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals according to the United Nations Agenda for 2030. To meet the objectives and questions of the study, a multi-faceted research methodology was adopted and conducted in the period from September to November 2017. The study used a qualitative approach in terms of personal interview, discussion and observations of group meetings, and examination of documents to investigate the implementation of community development programmemes and services in 34 rural public libraries representing the four main administrative divisions comprising Egypt. The 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals have been discussed with ways in which Egyptian rural public libraries can include and meet them. Challenges facing libraries in the provision of information (poor infrastructure, inappropriate collections and related facilities and services, high levels of illiteracy, lack of funding and cooperation between related agencies, inappropriate training of library and information professionals, lack of studies and surveys, as well as analyses of information needs of rural communities) have also been emphasized. This study concluded that Egyptian rural public libraries have struggled to be part of the United Nations Agenda for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. They have tried as much as possible to integrate and adapt to the surrounding community in light of the common economic, political and social factors and conditions. Despite these challenges, these libraries showed a good response that is characterized as somewhat positive, though not sufficient, toward the achievement of these goals.

Libraries, sustainability and sustainable development: a review of the research literature

“…These cover a focus on community development and a focus on the active and proactive role of libraries and librarians. Community development is central in publications focusing on the SDGs (Hauke, 2018; Mansour, 2020; Omona, 2020; Missingham, 2021; Tbaishat, 2021) and how libraries can help achieve the SDGs by providing access to information and facilitating community development or transformation (Omona, 2020) and “effective change in societies” (Tbaishat, 2021, p. 125). As opposed to publications with a specific social focus on the SDGs (cf.…”

“…Examples include also studies on how librarians are engaged in task forces and networks concerning the UN 2030 Agenda (see Fedorowicz-Kruszewska, 2019; Tanner et al. , 2019; Kosciejew, 2020; Mansour, 2020).…”

“…Several studies focus specifically on the proactive role of librarians in this regard (Less et al, 2012;Charney, 2013Charney, , 2014Williams et al, 2015). Examples include also studies on how librarians are engaged in task forces and networks concerning the UN 2030 Agenda (see Fedorowicz-Kruszewska, 2019;Tanner et al, 2019;Kosciejew, 2020;Mansour, 2020).…”

A Selective Review of Literature on Social Contribution of Libraries

“…Abu, Grace, and Carroll 25 Report on early investigative findings into the usage of the links in Australia and Malaysia between community development, empowerment, and rural public library. The key purpose of the study of Mansour 26 is to explore the potential role of Egyptian rural public libraries. Public libraries are social agents for development.…”

Evaluation of the Egyptian knowledge bank using the information systems success model

“…Concerning the topic, despite the considerable attention that digital libraries have received in the literature, (i.e., Afthanorhan et al, 2020 ; Bilal & Bachir, 2007 ; Soltani-Nejad et al, 2020 ; Thong et al, 2002 ; Xu & Du, 2018 ) a minimal amount of research has been conducted regarding the EKB, and these researches were strictly conducted from the perspective of librarianship (i.e., Eldakar & Kenawy, 2020 ; Mansour, 2020 ). Thus, to advance research and practice in this domain, researchers have to address and explore the success of the EKB with respect to the revolution of virtual education which evolved due to the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.…”