University libraries' contributions to information literacy and the UN sustainable development goals

This paper examines the role of university libraries in promoting information literacy (IL) to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), with a particular focus on Bangladesh. Through a systematic review following PRISMA standards, 79 studies published between 2015 and 2025 were analyzed. The findings underscore that IL is a transformative skill essential for education, lifelong learning, and sustainable development. University libraries are identified as ideal hubs for fostering IL, playing a critical role in integrating it into academic communities. However, in developing countries like Bangladesh, barriers such as limited infrastructure, insufficient policies, lack of trained staff, and weak institutional collaboration impede the effective promotion of IL. While global IL initiatives are growing, their alignment with the UNSDGs remains fragmented in Bangladesh. The study emphasizes the need for capacity building, funding digital infrastructure, implementing policy initiatives, and embedding IL into higher education curricula. Collaborative efforts involving faculty, government, and international institutions are essential for fostering IL to support sustainable development. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of IL's strategic position within university libraries and highlights areas requiring reform for better alignment with UNSDGs.