Research libraries, Open Science and sustainable development

Over the past twenty years, Open Access and more recently Open Science have been key developments in the Higher Education and Research sector and even beyond, leading to a major ongoing change of the way science is produced, monitored, disseminated and evaluated. In universities and research bodies, libraries have played a central role to make happen, sustain and expand Open Science, by realocating means, shifting priorities and transforming their organisational charts in order to face the challenges ahead. With the ultimate goal of opening up and widely sharing knowledge through research communities and society, Open Science is an important enabler of the local, national, regional and global sustainability strategies. Libraries are connected to sustainability through many aspects, including buildings and digital services, and are already part of the discussions regarding the role of their institution for a transition towards a more sustainable future. With the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal in the background, this keynote will demonstrate how Higher Education and Research libraries are already part of that move thanks to Open Science and what could be the most relevant and useful directions to foster sustainability in the years to come.