Public Libraries’ Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals Gathering Evidence and Evaluating Practices in Portugal

Abstract

Initiated in November 2016, the project Bibliotecas Públicas e Sustent- abilidade: Recolha de Evidências da Contribuição para os ODS [Public Libraries and Sustainability: Gathering Evidence of Contribution to SDGs (Project PLS)] aims to develop a framework for evaluating public libraries’ contribution to Sustain- able Development Goals (SDGs) and tailor it to Portuguese public libraries. This paper discusses the role of impact evaluation practices and competencies in the processes of gathering evidence and advocacy towards libraries’ contribution to the UN 2030 Agenda, focusing on the project’s first stages. After presenting the research background and general methodological frame, the relevant approaches, methods and tools for assessing libraries’ contribution to sustainable development (SD) are examined, particularly the impact evaluation perspective. The resulting Model for Evaluating Public Libraries’ Contribution to SDGs is discussed as well as the alignment process with SD goals and national priorities by using the SDG# Mapping Tool. Finally, some key aspects of the ongoing research are presented.