The Reflective Practice for Sustainable Future
PDF

How to Cite

Gunasekera, D., & Samarakoon, . M. (2020). The Reflective Practice for Sustainable Future: A Case Study Focusing the Library of Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka. International Journal of Librarianship, 5(2), 45–60. https://doi.org/10.23974/ijol.2020.vol5.2.171

Abstract

This paper reviews the initiatives taken by the library of Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka (BPUSL) to achieve the SDGs to create a sustainable environment in the library as well as in the university. It also discusses various steps taken by the university as well as the other units connecting it to information as a strategic resource and attempts an articulation of the concept of sustainable information and quality education, building on a sustainable future at the university under the theme of “sustainable university”. The article discusses further recent initiatives taken to upgrade the quality of the library services,  automation project to automate the whole library collection, scanning important rare and old books to create digital archive, preparing attractive library building by planting flowers and facilitating natural resources for reading areas addressing the goals on quality and equitable education, gender equity, literacy skills, health, and the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies, justice and strong institutions. The main objective of the article is to share reflective practices among LIS professionals in the field. Action research method was applied to write this article as it describes the reflective practices which promote sustainable future in the university and future endeavors as well. The paper concludes with suggestions on integrating concepts of sustainable information into higher education and role of information professionals towards the achievement of sustainable goals.

https://doi.org/10.23974/ijol.2020.vol5.2.171
PDF

References

Abata-Ebire, Blessing Damilola; Jeremy Adetayo Adebowale & Beatrice Yemsi Ojokuk (2018). Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) In Nigeria: the roles of libraries, International Journal of Applied Technologies in Library and Information Management 4 (2) 10 – pp.89-95, Retrieved from file:///C:/Users/Job%2012496/Documents/sustainabledev/roleof%20the%20librarian.docx.pdf

Anasi, S. N., Ukangwa, C. C., & Fagbe, A. (2018). University libraries-bridging digital gaps

and accelerating the achievement of sustainable development goals through information and communication technologies. World Journal of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development. Retrieved from: https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/a8b5/be8ab78f7c231d9e3cf149be8db8c2f24025.pdf

Denscombe, M. (2010). The good research guide for small-scale social research. (4th ed.). Maidenhead, UK: Open University Press.

Fallin, L. (2016), Beyond books: the concept of the academic library as learning space, New Library World, Vol. 117 Nos 5/6, pp. 1-9.

Hayes, H. (2004), The role of libraries in the knowledge economy, Serials, Vol. 17 No. 3, pp. 231-238.

IFLA: International Advocacy Programme 2016, Retrieved from https://www.ifla.org/ldp/iap

Jankowska, Maria Anna (2008). A call for sustainable library operations and services: a response to ACRL’s 2007 environmental scan, C&RL News, pp.323-324.Retrieved from doi: file:///C:/Users/Job%2012496/Documents/sustainabledev/academiclib.pdf

Jhingan, M.L. (2011). The economics of development and planning, 40th Ed., Vrinda Publications, Delhi-110091.

Lee, H.(2005), Knowledge management and the role of libraries, available at:www.white-clouds.com/ iclc/cliej/cl19lee.htm.

Mahajan, P. (2005), “Academic libraries in India: a present-day scenario”, Library Philosophy and Practice, Vol. 8 No. 1, available at: libr.unl.edu:2000/LPP/lppv8n1.htm

Marmot, A.(2014). Managing the campus: facility management and design, the student experience and university effectiveness in Temple, P. (Ed.), The Physical University: Contours of Space and Place in Higher Education, Routledge, Oxon, pp. 58-71.

Maria, N. N. & Agim Nneka Chinemerem (2019). Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for achieving sustainable development goals: the role of libraries, International Journal of Library and Information Science Studies Vol.5, No.2, pp.30-35, June, Retrieved from file:///C:/Users/Job%2012496/Documents/sustainabledev/goal4.pdf

McNiff, J. (2002). Action research: principles and practice. London: Routledge.

Nicholas, M.T & Perpetual, A.E (2015). Library and Education: Panacea for Sustainable Development in Nigeria. Asian Journal of Information Science and Technology, Volume 5, Issue 2,pp.28-31

National Policy and Strategy on “Sustainably Developed Sri Lanka” (2020). Submitted to Sustainable Development Council and USAID, Prepared by Dr A.G.T. Sugathapala, Colombo; Sustainable Development Council, Retrieved from doi: file:///C:/Users/Job%2012496/Documents/sustainabledev/Nationalreport.pdf

Nolin, J. (2010). Sustainable information and information science, Information Research, V. 15, Nº. 2, paper 431. [Accessed 30 May 2019]. Retrieved from: http://InformationR.net/ir/15-2/paper431.html

Oneyeyan,G. & Adesina, O. (2014). A literature review of the role of libraries in the provision of information towards the attainment of the United Nations millennium development goals the (MDGs) in Nigeria. Library Philosophy and Practice, 1069.

Pinto, Leonor Gaspar & Paula Ochôa (2017). Public libraries' contribution to Sustainable Development Goals: gathering evidences and evaluating practices, IFLA WLIC

Shah, A. (2012). Sustainable development. Retrieved from http://www.globalissue.org/article/408/ sustainable-development introduction.

Samantaray, Moorttimatee (2017). Role of libraries in quality education for achieving Sustainable Development Goals, Journal of Advances in Library and Information Science, volume 6, Issue 1, pp.31-35.

Suraweera, N et al.(2010). Value of social networking in libraries and information organizations in Asia and Oceania, World Library and Information Congress: 76th IFLA General Conference and Assembly - 10-15 August 2010, Gothenburg, Sweden,doi:Retrieved from http://www.ifla.org/en/ifla76.

Thomas, MukondeKasonde (2017). Lubuto libraries in Zambia: sustainable development through library and information services, IFLA WLIC 2017, WROCLAW, Retrieved from file:///C:/Users/Job%2012496/Documents/sustainabledev/139article.pdf

Thuseethan, S & Shanmuganatha V, (2015). Social media as a new trend in Sri Lankan digital journalism: a surveillance, Asian Social Science, volume 11, Issue 10, pp. 86-93.

Tyonum, Nicholas Mfangu & Ezeogu, Perpetual Amarachi. (2015).Library and education: panacea for sustainable development in Nigeria, Asian Journal of Information Science and Technology. Vol. 5, Issue 2, pp.28-31

UNESCO (1996). Learning: the treasure within report to UNESCO of the international commission on education for the twenty-first century, France, UNESCO

Ubale, K & Yahaya, A. (2016). Library campaign as a strategy for actualizing the sustainable development goals in Nigeria. International Journal of Comparative Studies in International Relations and Development, Volume 4, Issue 1, pp. 2354–4201.

Ukubeyinje, Sandra Ejiro & Ejitagha Stella (2019). The roles of librarians and libraries campaign as a strategy for the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) Volume III, Issue IV, April, pp. 270-274

UN (2015). Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 25 September 2015. Retrieved from: http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/RES/70/1&Lang=E.

UN (2016). Final list of proposed Sustainable Development Goal indicators. Annex 4 of the Report of the Inter-Agency and Expert Group on Sustainable Development Goal Indicators (E/CN.3/2016/2/Rev.1). Retrieved from: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/11803Official-List-of-Proposed-SDG-Indicators.pdf. Vuorikari, R. et al. (2016). DigComp 2.0: the Digital

Voluntary National Review on the status of implementing Sustainable Development Goals (2018). Rajagirirya, Ministry of Sustainable Development, Wildlife and Regional Development.

Wong, D.M.L. (2010),Knowledge management catalyst for sustainable development, International Symposium in InformationTechnology, ITSim, Vol. 3, pp. 1444-1449.

World Commission on Environment and Development report (1987). New York, Retrieved from doi: https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/139811?ln=en

Wyatt, D., McQuire, S. & Butt, D. (2015), Public libraries in a digital culture, Retrieved from:https://publiccultures.unimelb.edu.au/sites/publiccultures.unimelb.edu.au/files/PublicLibrariesinaDigital Culture.pdf

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Copyright (c) 2020 International Journal of Librarianship

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.