How Will Libraries Deliver a Sustainable Future?

December 27, 2021

Event Date: January 20 at 2:00 PM ET // 11:00 AM PT

Join this webinar sponsored by Elsevier to learn about:

What can librarians do to help achieve a sustainable and equitable future for both people and planet? In 2015 the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set an ambitious 2030 target for progress towards such a future. The SDG framework provided a blueprint for action and an alignment around key priorities.

The scholarly communications ecosystem is a critical ingredient to disseminate SDG-related research, but with 8 years left in which to achieve the SDGs, the question is are we moving fast enough and what more can we do? With the global pandemic continuing, carbon emissions increasing and wider inequalities within society, The United Nations has marked 2020 as the decade of action in which collectively we must raise our ambitions and accelerate our efforts towards a more sustainable future.

This webinar will explore unique insights using data related to each of the 17 goals and share the unique experiences of librarians who are already working with the SDG framework before facilitating a discussion about how we can all accelerate action. Register here! Please note: This session will include live language interpreters for Spanish, Portuguese, and French.

Featured Speakers:

Gerald R. Beasley
Carl A. Kroch University Librarian
Cornell UniversityGerald Beasley is currently the Carl A. Kroch University Librarian at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. He has written and presented extensively on various topics including the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Previous to Cornell, Beasley had leadership positions as Chief Librarian and Vice-Provost at the University of Alberta, Edmonton (2013-17); University Librarian at Concordia University, Montreal (2008-13); Director, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Columbia University, New York City (2004-08); and Chief Librarian, Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montreal (1999-2004).

Gwen Evans
Vice President, Global Library Relations
ElsevierGwen Evans joined Elsevier in 2020 as the Vice President of Global Library Relations. Prior to her current role, Gwen spent seven years as the Executive Director of the state agency and library consortium OhioLINK. From 2006 to 2012, she held the position of Associate Professor and the Coordinator of Library Information and Emerging Technologies at Bowling Green State University. Gwen has extensive experience with all types of academic libraries and institutions: academic content contract negotiations on the consortial level; statewide affordable textbook initiatives including OER; and leading, maintaining and creating shared collaborative services in a technology-driven environment. She was also active in the International Coalition of Library Consortia, serving as Chair of the Coordinating Committee. Her recent publications include an Ithaka S+R issue brief co-authored with Roger Schonfeld, titled “It’s Not What Libraries Hold; It’s Who Libraries Serve. Seeking a User-Centered Future for Academic Libraries” and “Creating Diversity in Libraries: Management Perspectives” in Library Leadership & Management with co-authors Mihoko Hosoi and Nancy S. Kirkpatrick.

Professor Carlos Henrique de Brito Cruz (Moderator)
Senior Vice President, Research Networks
ElsevierProf. Carlos Henrique de Brito Cruz sits on the Shell Science Council, the International Advisory Board of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, and the Panel of Judges for the Queen Elizabeth Engineering Prize. Prof. Brito Cruz is a member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences (ABC), of the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), and of the Academy of Sciences of the State of São Paulo (ACIESP). He is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and of the American Physical Society (APS).He has authored and co-authored several scientific papers and has been the President of the University of Campinas (Unicamp) and the President and Science Director of the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP). He was awarded the Order of Scientific Merit by the President of Brazil for his contributions to science and technology and the Conrado Wessel General Science Prize for his scientific career. He has also received the Ordre des Palmes Académiques de France, and the Order of the British Empire, (OBE).

Register here for this complimentary 60-minute webinar!