Corporate social responsibilities by academic libraries: A global review

Abstract

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become an integral practice for organizations initiated to demonstrate accountability and contribute to societal well being. This paper explores CSR efforts in academic libraries through documentary reports from cases of academic libraries in Nigeria, Tanzania, Lesotho, Kenya, India, and the Philippines. The study involved a systematic investigation, examination and analysis of existing records on CSR from various settings. The reported cases highlight outreach initiatives to serve the information needs of rural communities, including agricultural extension services, literacy programs, mobile libraries, book donations, and skills training. Disadvantaged groups are also beneficiaries in some of the examples. Key CSR activities aim to promote development, address inequality, and build relationships. However, libraries face challenges like limited funding, low literacy of users, lack of ICT infrastructure, developing local language materials, vehicle maintenance issues, and impact monitoring. Proposed solutions emphasize partnerships to pool resources, customization of training for users, utilization of local languages, leveraging of low tech options (mobile phones), enhancing evaluation, and securing external funding. The reports demonstrate libraries’ potential as change agents in fostering inclusion and bridging information gaps by embracing CSR principles. Also, libraries achieve much through collaborations with corporate organizations. The study provides exemplars for modelling CSR practices that enable libraries to positively serve disadvantaged communities and live up to their role as equitable social institutions.