Achieving sustainable development goals two and three : role of academic libraries

Abstract

PURPOSE : This study investigated the role academic libraries play in the achievement of sustainable development goals 2 and 3 DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH : An exploratory approach through an extensive review of related literature and case study was adopted for this study. Discussion on the efforts made by academic libraries in Federal University of Technology Library Owerri, Nigeria; Makerere University Library, Uganda, Kampala International University, Uganda and Ghana Institute of Journalism Library made in the achievement of SDGs 2 and 3. The study was guided by three research questions. Research questions 1 and 2 were gotten from the literature reviewed while the answer to research question 3 was based on information provided by the researchers being staff in the universities studied and the result of the interview from the rural host community. FINDINGS : Major findings revealed that natural disasters (extreme weather, drought, flood,etc); ineffective food distribution, poor packaging, processing and storage, social support networks, untimely delivery of information, physical environment, inappropriate media for information dissemination among others were the problems militating against attainment of food security and good health. The finding also revealed that the community lacked agricultural information such as where to get the best variety of farm inputs, where and how to source agricultural loans, the market where they will get a better bargain for the products among others. Members of the rural host also lacked health information. Practical Implication: In a hunger crisis society and where health care services are not given the utmost attention, the life of the citizens are endangered. The provision of library and information services to people will empower them to seek and find the solution to these problems. ORIGINALITY/VALUE : It is recommended that academic libraries can achieve SDGs 2 and 3 through repackaging of agricultural and health information in different formats and in the language rural communities will understand and make it accessible to them. Libraries can also partner/collaborate with agricultural and health professionals in the provision of extension services to their host communities.