IFLA has produced a series of materials about libraries in Voluntary Reviews, including analysis of their inclusion in reports to date, an overall briefing, and a month-by-month guide to participation.

A key feature of the United Nations 2030 Agenda are Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs). These are an opportunity for countries to report on their progress towards delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals, and for their peers to ask questions and make suggestions.

Engaging in the process of preparing VNRs is not only an opportunity for libraries to receive recognition for the work they are doing, but also to seek new commitments and to broaden their networks. Successes strengthen the field as a whole, by providing references.

How to engage in Voluntary National Reviews?

Find out more about what Voluntary National Reviews are, why they are relevant for libraries, and an overview of how to get involved in our briefing (updated for the 2024 Reviews).

IFLA also provides a month-by-month guide to engaging in the SDGs. This is available in English and Spanish.

  • Part 1: Find out who’s in charge (EN) (ES)
  • Part 2: Prepare your stories (EN) (ES)
  • Part 3: Prepare your data (EN) (ES)
  • Part 4: Present your materials (EN) (ES)
  • Part 5: Engage with decision-makers (EN)
  • Part 6: Engage with partners (EN)
  • Part 7: Communicate to the public (EN)
  • Part 8: Prepare for the High-Level Political Forum (EN)

Libraries recognised in Voluntary National (and Local) Reviews so far

There have now been six rounds of Voluntary National Reviews, with well over 200 now published, covering all but a few countries around the world.

IFLA has analysed the reports published, looking at how libraries feature in reviews, and in particular in relation to which different SDGs.

In addition, the concept of Voluntary Local Reviews is becoming more and more popular, acknowledging the key role of local authorities in delivering so many of the Sustainable Development Goals. We have therefore also looked at these:

In addition to this work, we have also collected the experiences of libraries involved in VNR processes, to learn about the benefits that this has brought them.