Poverty Alleviation: Repositioning Public Libraries in West Bengal in Achieving Sustainable Development Goal

Abstract

682 million people, as estimated by the World Bank in 2022, around the world were living in extreme poverty. These people have been living a life of hopelessness and endless struggle to arrange for both ends meals. SDG 2030Agenda has recognized that “eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty” as the greatest challenge for the global leaders and it is indispensable for sustainable development. Both the developed and developing countries have adopted different initiatives in line with the 2030 Global Goals to achieve a world free from poverty and hunger and economic inequality. Almost every administrative and service unit of the government has become a part in this effort. But, the role of public libraries is somewhat undermined. Though, public libraries are better positioned than many other government organizations. It may play a vital role to empower men and women to combat poverty. This article explores the avenues that public libraries in West Bengal may create for its users in the society and lift them from poverty and provide a better living condition. But public libraries have some hurdles to remove before they create these avenues for the people. These hurdles have also been explored in this article.