Contribution of the sustainable development goals in university libraries in Bogota: challenges and opportunities

Abstract

Sustainable development, the core of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), grants academic libraries a fundamental role as promoters of information and quality education, an area with limited empirical research in Latin America. To evaluate the contribution within this context, a descriptive study was conducted based on a survey administered to academic libraries in Bogota, D.C. (Colombia), aiming to determine the level of knowledge and institutional implementation of the SDGs. Results reveal that, although most institutions (88%) are aware of the SDGs' importance, a significant gap exists, as their effective implementation is still nascent and limited by challenges such as budgetary constraints, a lack of specific training, and insufficient integration into strategic planning. It is concluded that it is imperative to integrate the SDGs as a central part of these libraries' institutional mission and vision and to strengthen dissemination and partnership strategies to overcome challenges and move toward a substantial and sustained impact in fulfilling the 2030 Agenda.