UMLIB’s SDG Corner Showcasing Sustainability in Malaysian Academic Libraries

The Universiti Malaya Library (UMLib) has reached a new milestone in its sustainability journey by securing first place in the inaugural Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Corner Competition, under the Academic Library category this year. Organised by Persatuan Pustakawan Malaysia (PPM) or the Librarians’ Association of Malaysia (LAM) through its Standing Committee of Academic Libraries (2022–2024 term), this competition has placed UMLib at the forefront of sustainable practices in academic libraries. The library’s triumph in this competition underscores its commitment in integrating sustainable development principles into academic library practices and highlights its role in advancing the global sustainability agenda within the higher education sector.

This future-oriented approach to SDGs at Universiti Malaya is not a recent development, as evidenced by the establishment of Universiti Malaya Sustainability and Development Centre (UMSDC) in November 2021. The UMSDC integrates three key units: EcoCampus@UM, Rimba Ilmu, and Makerspace@UM, consolidating the university’s sustainability efforts. Prior to this, UMLib had already been proactively conducting various activities aligned with the 17 SDG goals. The establishment of the UMSDC has further enhanced the library’s focus and efficacy in realising the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The library’s efforts towards SDGs are now more strategically targeted, guided by the Sustainability and Development Centre’s vision to transform Universiti Malaya into a model city campus that advances green, carbon-neutral, and sustainable lifestyle and innovation.

The synergy between the library’s recent accolade and the university’s broader sustainability initiatives demonstrates Universiti Malaya’s comprehensive and committed approach to integrating SDGs into its academic, research and operational framework. While the library had long been offering various services and events aligned with sustainable research and innovation practices, it lacked a dedicated space to comprehensively showcase and engage users with its SDG initiatives. UMLib’s participation in the competition has not only filled this void but has also catalysed a process of introspection and forward-planning among the library’s staff and management. It has provided a platform to assess current achievements and strategically design future activities and initiatives.

The establishment of the SDG booth at UMLib was a collaborative effort involving the Museum of Asian Art, Universiti Malaya, and the Nature Club of the Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) Sungai Manggis, Banting, Selangor, a Tamil vernacular school. This initiative goes beyond participating in competitions, it is also aimed at engaging and promoting to stakeholders while leveraging existing expertise to create optimal displays. The library pioneered a “mobile” exhibition concept using tunnel structures as a framework, embracing an eco-exhibition approach with recycled materials. The booth, completed in 1,920 minutes (32 hours) by an eight-member team led by Dr. Mohd Faizal Hamzah, features three main sections – posters showcasing library SDG initiatives, an SDG book exhibition, and an interactive corner with a “sticky notes” space for visitor engagement. This comprehensive approach not only highlights the library’s commitment to sustainability but also captures users’ knowledge and opinions on SDGs, effectively bridging academic resources with community involvement. The project’s swift execution and innovative design underscores UMLib’s proactive stance in promoting SDG awareness and sustainable practices within the academic sphere. Furthermore, a video showcasing the booth with a voice-over was recorded, not only to fulfill competition requirements but also to promote this initiative online. The video is now available on UMLib’s social media pages for viewing.

The UMLib’s SDG booth has sparked a profound realisation regarding the institution’s extensive contributions to sustainable development over the years. This newfound awareness has truly impressed the UMLib team, highlighting the breadth and depth of the initiatives. Key programmes featured in the posters include “Baca dan Bicara” (B&B), which promotes mental well-being through reading (addressing SDGs 3, 4, 10 and 11), and the International Women’s Day Celebration, collaborating with national associations (aligning with SDGs 5, 10, 17). Beyond these collaborative initiatives and forums, UMLib’s comprehensive approach extends to its diverse services within its scale of facilities, with particular emphasis on supporting special needs users. The posters also partly addressed other important aspects of UMLib’s services, including dedicated support for disabled users, book donation programs, interlibrary loans, collaborative learning spaces, and innovative features like in-library exercise equipment.

Building on the success of the SDG Corner, a proposal to expand the use of the mobile booth was presented at a library meeting, where its potential for broader promotion and educational purposes was thoroughly explored. Discussions also focused on potential improvements to enhance the booth’s relevance and usability. This forward-thinking approach exemplifies UMLib’s commitment to continuous innovation and adaptation, ensuring that sustainability remains at the heart of its services and community engagement. The strategic planning behind both the creation of the booth and its envisioned future applications highlights UMLib’s steadfast dedication to sustainability, accessibility, and fostering meaningful connections within and beyond the university community.

The team expresses its sincere gratitude for the invaluable opportunity to showcase UMLib’s dedication to sustainable development, foster collaboration within the university community, and contribute meaningfully to the global SDG agenda. This experience has not only illuminated the breadth of the team’s achievements but also ignited a renewed commitment to innovation and continuous growth. Moving forward, the team is inspired to expand our initiatives, driving sustainability to the forefront of academic library services and ensuring that our efforts resonate both within our institution and on the global stage.

Contributed by Vijayalatchumy Maruthaveeran, Universiti Malaya Library, and Dr Mohd Faizal Hamzah, Universiti Malaya Library