The Department of Library and Information Science, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut, organised a guest lecture on theme “Sustainable Libraries: Aligning Library Services with SDGs” on June 16, 2026. The invited speaker for the occasion was Ms. Poonam Tyagi, Assistant Professor, Department of Library and Information Science, HLM College, Ghaziabad, whose expertise in sustainable library practices and digital information services lent significant academic depth to the proceedings.
The primary objective of the guest lecture was to familiarise students and research scholars with the pivotal role of libraries in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The event aimed to sensitise the academic community to the evolving dimensions of library and information science in the context of global sustainability agendas, with particular emphasis on SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and allied goals. The lecture further sought to bridge theoretical frameworks of sustainable librarianship with practical applications relevant to contemporary information environments.
The programme was presided over by Dr. Sudhir Tyagi, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, who formally welcomed the guest speaker and underscored the importance of such lectures in exposing students to the emerging dimensions of library and information science.
In her lecture, Ms. Poonam Tyagi elaborated that in the present era, libraries have transcended their conventional role as repositories of knowledge and information to become active contributors to sustainable development, quality education, and social equity within society. She emphasised that libraries are making significant contributions toward the attainment of SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production through the judicious utilisation of resources, digitisation, and expansion of e-resources, adoption of paperless services, resource sharing, and the implementation of green library practices.
The speaker further enlightened the audience on the role of digital libraries, institutional repositories, and e-journals in not only facilitating easy access to information but also in reducing paper consumption and environmental pressures. She articulated that the concept of sustainable libraries extends beyond mere environmental conservation to encompass responsible resource use, energy conservation, awareness creation, and the preservation of knowledge resources for future generations. The lecture was enriched by an interactive question-and-answer session during which students raised queries pertaining to green libraries, sustainable library services, digital resources, and the practical applications of the SDGs, all of which were addressed comprehensively by the guest speaker.
The guest lecture proved to be an academically enriching and highly successful event. Students and research scholars demonstrated enthusiastic interest in the knowledge imparted and engaged actively with the subject matter. The event significantly enhanced participants’ understanding of the multidimensional role of libraries in advancing the SDGs, particularly in the domains of responsible resource management, digital transformation, and sustainability-oriented library services.
The programme concluded with a formal vote of thanks extended by Dr. Sapna Sharma, Assistant Professor, Department of Library and Information Science, to the guest speaker for her valuable and thought-provoking contribution. The lecture was attended by all faculty members of the department, including Dr. Javed Khan, Dr. Sapna Sharma, Dr. Alpana, Ms. Shalini Tyagi, and Ms. Bhavana Joshi, along with students and research scholars, all of whom expressed their appreciation for the informative and inspiring session. Overall, the programme was considered a commendable academic initiative that successfully connected library science education with global sustainability imperatives.
