University libraries-bridging digital gaps and accelerating the achievement of sustainable development goals through information and communication technologies
| Pages | 13-25 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/WJSTSD-11-2016-0059 |
| Published date | 02 January 2018 |
| Date | 02 January 2018 |
| Author | Stella Ngozi Anasi,Clement Chinemerem Ukangwa,Abimbola Fagbe |
| Subject Matter | Public policy & environmental management,Environmental technology & innovation |
University libraries-bridging
digital gaps and accelerating
the achievement of sustainable
development goals through
information and communication
technologies
Stella Ngozi Anasi
University Library, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria, and
Clement Chinemerem Ukangwa and Abimbola Fagbe
University Library, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Nigeria
Abstract
Purpose –The purposeof this paper is toexplore the role of universitylibraries inaccelerating the achievement
of sustainabledevelopment goals (SDGs) through informationand communication technologies (ICTs).
Design/methodology/approach –The study adopted a descriptive survey design using a researcher
developed questionnaire for data collection. In all, 103 professional librarians working in all the university
libraries in Ogun State, Nigeria were surveyed. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (version 19) was used to
run the analysis.
Findings –The university libraries in Ogun State, Nigeria are not lagging behind in the provision of ICT
facilities for the delivery of twenty-first century library services. The paper highlights the critical role of
university libraries in bridging digital gaps by taking advantage of ICTs to accelerate the attainment of
SDGs. ICTs have the capacity to accelerate the actualisation of SDG in all communities. However, illiteracy,
lack of political accountability and transparency, lack of financial resources and inadequate power supply
were the major challenges impeding the achievement of SDGs in Ogun State, Nigeria.
Practical implications –This paper establishes the role of university libraries in bridging digital gaps
through ICTs in order to facilitate the attainment of SDGs.
Originality/value –The paper originality lies in its concise articulation of the roles of university libraries
and ICTs in the actualisation of SDGs. Library and information professionals who are eager to contribute
their quota to the achievement of SDGs will find this article useful.
Keywords University libraries, Information and communication technologies, Nigeria,
Sustainable development goals, Ogun State
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Sustainable development was a significant theme in the 2005 review of the Millennium
Development Goals, and is reiterated in other United Nations summit declarations.
World Commission on Environment and Development (1987) defined sustainable
development as “development that meets the needs of the present, without compromising
the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”(WCED, 1987, part 1, section 2,
para. 1). But Ayodele (2007) submits that sustainable development can be broadly defined
as the ability of the economy to support the needs of the people of a country over a time,
taking into consideration the economic, social and ecological constraints of the country.
The United Nations 2030 Agenda for sustainable development emphasis economic
well-being and employment, farming and sustainable agriculture, health and hygiene,
digital inclusion, gender equality and empowerment of women and girls, education for all,
climate change and other issues affecting the environment.
World Journal of Science,
Technology and Sustainable
Development
Vol. 15 No. 1, 2018
pp. 13-25
© Emerald PublishingLimited
2042-5945
DOI10.1108/WJSTSD-11-2016-0059
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/2042-5945.htm
13
SDGs through
ICTs
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