Abstract:
This research highlights the integral role of university libraries globally in advancing the United
Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), showcasing their strategies, initiatives, and
contributions to sustainable development. The specific strategies and contributions of university
libraries towards SDGs remain ambiguously documented and understood, necessitating a focused
exploration. This research bridges the knowledge gap by detailing university library practices related
to SDGs, providing vital insights for academic institutions and policymakers, and emphasizing
libraries' pivotal role in driving sustainable development agendas and community awareness. The
primary objectivewas to illuminate the role of university libraries in advancing the SDGs. A Qualitative
mixed method was used to address the research questions of libraries' SDG integration, and tangible
contributions. Data sources comprised academic journals and authorized institutional websites, with
74 pertinent articles analyzed from an initial pool of 103. A limitation was the study's primary
dependence on available literature and website content, which might overlook certain unrecorded
practices or nuanced SDG initiatives. Findings established that the university libraries globally are
actively embedding SDGs into their regular functions, strategic plans, and community outreach,and
five core themes define their initiatives: capacity building and partnership, access and inclusion,
environmental responsibility, innovation, and ethics. Contrary to initial perceptions, libraries
significantly contribute to all SDGs, including sustainable agriculture, water conservation, and
biodiversity. Besides regular services, they are proactive in projects, partnerships, and programs
tailored to SDGs. They play pivotal roles in knowledge dissemination, research support, and fostering
a culture of sustainability. Importantly, these institutions exhibit commitment through strategic
alignments, stakeholder collaborations, and broad-reaching community initiatives promoting
sustainable development. University libraries globally are pivotal in advancing SDGs through
integrated operations and outreach, however, SDG reporting by Sri Lankan Universities is lacking.
They should intensify collaborations with stakeholders, update SDG strategies, prioritize
underrepresented SDGs, boost awareness programs and share best practices globally to optimize their
contributions to sustainable development initiatives. For Sri Lanka, focused research is essential to
ascertain SDG implementation within university libraries.
