Public Libraries of Minas Gerais

Challenges for the Implementation of the SDGs of the 2030 Agenda

Abstract

This article analyzes how public libraries in Minas Gerais can contribute to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda. The research, with a quali-quantitative approach, employed a narrative review and content analysis based on the guidelines of the IFLA/UNESCO Public Library Manifesto (2022). Data collection involved sending semi-structured questionnaires to public libraries in the State of Minas Gerais and conducting interviews with librarians. Twenty-six public libraries and eight librarian professionals participated. The results reveal significant challenges faced by these institutions in fulfilling their social role. The main obstacles include: the absence of effective public policies to ensure the continuous creation and maintenance of libraries; the discontinuity of actions, as they are often government policies rather than State policies; insufficient financial resources for the maintenance and updating of collections; the lack of legislation linking library funding to the public budget; precarious infrastructure; a shortage of qualified professionals; and information services that do not fully meet the current needs of communities. It is concluded that, although public libraries are strategic spaces for access to and sharing of information, they face multiple challenges in aligning their collections and services with the SDGs. To overcome these limitations, sustainable public investments, ongoing professional training programs, and curation policies that prioritize social inclusion, diversity, and open and equitable access to information - aligned with the principles of sustainable development - are essential.