Advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): The Evolving Role of Public Libraries in Bangladesh

Abstract

The successful integration of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into public library services depends on translating sustainability priorities into organizational practices. This study examines the role of public libraries in advancing the SDGs in Bangladesh by investigating the relationships of Awareness and Understanding (AU), Current SDG-aligned Activities and Services (CAS), Barriers and Challenges (BC), and Training and Capacity Needs (TCN) with Sustainable Library Practices (SLP). Using a quantitative survey design, data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) with one-tailed bootstrapping. All four factors significantly and positively related to SLP. AU was the strongest predictor (β = 0.352, p < 0.001), followed by CAS (β = 0.279, p < 0.001), BC (β = 0.198, p = 0.008), and TCN (β = 0.139, p = 0.032). AU showed a medium effect, while the other predictors demonstrated small effects. The model showed satisfactory predictive relevance (Q2predict = 0.483). The findings highlight the importance of strengthening SDG understanding, embedding sustainability into library services, addressing implementation challenges, and enhancing professional capacity. The study offers an empirically tested framework and context-specific evidence on sustainable library practices in Bangladesh.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Journal of Library Administration, 2026 · DOI ↗