Jordanian Public Libraries in Relation to Achieving SDGs: Shoman Library in Action

• Published in: Public library quarterly (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 40; no. 2; pp. 125 - 143
• Main Author: Tbaishat, Dina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Routledge 04.03.2021; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Abdul Hamid Shoman Foundation; Jordan; Public libraries; SDGs; Shoman library; Sustainable development; Jordan (country)
• ISSN: 0161-6846; 1541-1540
• DOI: 10.1080/01616846.2020.1738836

In 2015, the United Nations (UN) called for a better world through 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Public libraries offer a wide range of services that can contribute to creating effective change in societies. Shoman library is one large public library in Jordan that is part of the Abdul Hamid Shoman Foundation. This article investigates how Abdul Hamid Shoman library's services, projects, and activities are related to achieving the UN SDGs. The benefit of this research paper lies in its novelty in Jordan. The article has practical implications for Shoman library (and other libraries), as it provides an insight on strategic planning framework to cover all relevant SDGs. The results showed that Shoman library has already contributed to achieving a large number of the SDGs causing a wide positive impact on the community. However, little is achieved toward achieving goal 16, and none for goal 2. Recommendations are proposed on how to embrace more goals in the future.