The EBLIDA Matrix

What is EBLIDA Matrix?

The EBLIDA Matrix is the EBLIDA contribution to the Europe 2030 Agenda. As the European Bureau of Library Associations, we are offering this service to European libraries – how to be involved in the implementation of the Europe 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

 

When you click on the a Goal you will be forwarded to the following sections:

1: A selection of EU programmes likely to be relevant for libraries;

EU instruments and/or funding may be made available to libraries willing to be involved in the SDG;

2: Library policies

Covering that SDG; we expect that a good number of libraries in Europe will implement SDGs in their action; EBLIDA is monitoring the European arena and will show best practices and results, as well as the policies behind individual projects;

3: Main indicators

Normally used at EU level to evaluate activities corresponding to the SDG you have clicked on;

4: Library Indicators

Enabling the evaluation of library performances and how they can match SDG indicators.

How does it work?

The EBLIDA Matrix works on the assumption that the mission of libraries is not only linked to the collections stored in their precincts and on their servers. Libraries have to meet the needs expressed by the communities they refer to. They have to work within a framework where economic, societal and cultural objectives are reconciled and amalgamated into a straightforward and ultimate direction. This framework is the UN Sustainable Development Goal initiative, which was adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 and is a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity, now and into the future. 

How can you use it?

Imagine your library is working in a context where there is a high level of pollution or a political commitment to eliminating plastics. It is not the task of libraries to trigger pollution control policies or to eradicate plastics. There are specialized departments and scientific centres in charge of it. But libraries, or specialized organisations hosted by libraries, can diffuse information and create awareness among users. They can trigger citizens’ science projects and be themselves examples of Green Library.

A sustainable society is above all a matter of lifestyle. Libraries claiming to be meeting places can therefore be instrumental in transforming improper practices into virtuous behaviours.

An impressive battery of EU programmes are designed to implement the Europe 2030 Agenda for sustainability. These programmes are likely to be even more numerous and better funded in the new 2021-2027 EU Budget.

Programmes and links listed in the EBLIDA Matrix are normally updated on an annual basis. Librarians and professionals can use the EBLIDA Matrix:

• as a compass: to frame national and / or regional library policies into the broader framework of sustainable policies described by SDG Voluntary National Reviews 

• as a calculator: to evaluate to what extent library performances align to sustainability indicators (EU SDG Indicator set 2019) in use at European level

• as a banner: to raise their profile by showing how an individual library or a library system can contribute to save the planet and make people happier. 

The content included in the EBLIDA Matrix is extracted from:

“EU and the Sustainable Development Goals” – Main EU initiatives: https://ec.europa.eu/sustainable-development/about_en;

EU Sustainability Indicators, Eurostat Report. Sustainable Development in the European Union, 2019 Edition: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/3217494/9940483/KS-02-19-165-EN-N.pdf/1965d8f5-4532-49f9-98ca-5334b0652820, and Eurostat. EU SDG Indicator set. Result of the review in preparation of the 2019 edition of the EU SDG monitoring report https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/276524/9479054/2019-01-08__EU_SDG_indicator_set_2019_review_final_report.pdf

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