Toward becoming an inclusive library

Abstract

PurposeThe library's role in promoting and supporting the United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) is beyond borders. It has the capacity to be a powerful driving force in leading exemplary programs that will transform society in many dimensions. This paper will share the value of libraries in integrating SDG's into their work and how it can positively advocate for change toward attaining an inclusive, open and tolerant society.Design/methodology/approachThis survey research and program evaluation are designed to solicit opinions from participants of two library programs focusing on gender equality at Nazarbayev University. Data collection was prepared, gathered and analyzed using Qualtrics.FindingsParticipants believed that gender-related programs of the library are positive ways on how to stimulate a gender-balanced society. The programs increased awareness on gender equality among the academic community and promoted the welfare and rights of marginalized sectors. Finally, these programs addressed various stigmas, thus empowering vulnerable groups to stand up to discrimination.Practical implicationsLibraries are safe spaces that advocate social inclusivity.Social implicationsIt proves that a library can hold programs in support of SDGs, particularly on gender equality.Originality/valueThis paper shares academic library initiatives in Central Asia, particularly in Kazakhstan, in support of SDGs.

Association of Cyclin-Dependent Kinases 4 and 6 Inhibitors With Survival in Patients With Hormone Receptor–Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer

“… 6 Endocrine therapy is associated with a significant increase in both progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). 7 However, ET resistance and disease progression are the main causes of recurrence and death of patients. 1 , 6 Ongoing alternative strategies are being explored to improve outcomes among these patients.…”

A Systematic Narrative Review of Implementation, Processes, and Outcomes of Human Library

“…All publications were focused directly on the HL events, except that two studies respectively reported on the development of a data system for managing HL resources [31] and a content analysis of documents about HL standards [18]. Fourteen (61%) publications were descriptive in nature [12][13][14]16,17,19,22,[25][26][27][30][31][32]34], most of which aimed to "describe", "overview", "review", "reflect on", or "discover" the HL approach and reported on the implementation, process, and experience of HL events. Many of their research methodologies are of questionable quality, as they did not describe the exact research designs, mentioned the use of case study without details, or used generic methods to collect the outcomes or observations after an HL (e.g., only post-event survey, observation, or interview).…”

“…The reported HLs were held in enclosed spaces. The majority of HLs were reportedly held in physical libraries, such as those associated with universities [14,16,17,19,22,24,25,34] and public libraries [14,17,20,32]. Other venues were primarily in educational settings, including university venues or facilities, student or information centers, and classrooms [17,21,24,28,34].…”

“…Consistent with the goals of HL, the books generally had unique, challenging, adverse, or unhappy life experiences to show [13,14,19,25]. Specifically, books selected should have "credible narratives" [19] and represent certain perceived stigmatized or marginalized groups in society [21,25] who "may have been ridiculed and discriminated against because of who they are and what they do" [25].…”

Increasing Environmental Literacy to Support Environmental Conservation: Case Study in Jebres, Indonesia

“…Libraries play a role in integrating SDG's to be able to advocate for positive change to achieve an inclusive, open, and tolerant society [14,15]. Publiclibrary teachers in the U.S. are engaged in environmental education and are looking for new strategies for teaching information literacy [16,17].…”