Name
Supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals - a role for libraries
Date & Time
Wednesday, July 17, 2024, 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
IDEAL Locations
Sheraton B
Session Type
General
Description

The adoption of the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print Disabled presented an unprecedented opportunity for libraries to provide access to printed works for blind and other print-disabled persons. Libraries play a key role in Marrakesh Treaty implementation. The Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL) and the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) created a Task Force to explore how research libraries can effectively implement cross-border exchange of materials. According to a 2022 survey of library directors by Ithaka S&R, 67 percent of library directors prioritized ensuring the library’s physical and digital resources are accessible to disabled patrons. However, directors’ confidence in the library’s various DEIA strategies appears to be waning, likely–as the authors noted–due to the proliferation of legislation that would restrict DEIA at public colleges and universities. At the same time, libraries are trying to find ways to make progress on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to support the UN’s #Envision2030 agenda. This session will share the work and findings of the Task Force, including commitment from library leadership and throughout the library. Participants will develop an understanding of what their library can do to support accessibility in their institution, and map SDGs to recommendations from the Marrakesh Treaty pilot.

Track
Sustainable Practices
Keywords
accessibility, Marrakesh Treaty, human rights, education, copyright
Resources