The Library Map of the World bring together key information about the library landscape in every participating country. Contributors in each country and territory provide the content. Together, we aim to build a clear and reliable global picture of how libraries are organised, governed, supported and developed.
What can you find in a country profile?
Each country profile brings all the available information for that country into one place, including:
- Overview of library landscape: A description of the national library field, including the structure of the library system, key features of different library types, governance and funding models, policy and development priorities, the role of library associations, and recent achievements.
- Overview of library data: The most recent national‑level statistics submitted to the Library Map of the World, showing all available metrics across all library types.
- Contextual data: A selection of indicators describing the country’s information infrastructure, economy and employment, education and literacy, and research and innovation. This data is sourced from the World Bank’s Data360 portal.
- SDG Stories: Examples of how libraries in the country support the UN Sustainable Development Goals and contribute to community development.
- Key organisations: National library associations, national libraries, policy‑making institutions, and library support organisations that shape and strengthen the library field.
- Policies and legislation: National library policies, library laws, legal deposit laws, and copyright laws with library‑specific exceptions and limitations. These frameworks define how libraries operate and how national collections are preserved.
- Library education and qualifications: Requirements for entering the library profession and information about institutions offering Library and Information Science (LIS) training or related programmes.
- Professional publications and events: National journals, magazines, conferences, and meetings that support professional development and knowledge sharing.
- Library location resources: Links to online maps or directories providing location data for all or part of the country’s libraries.
- Contributors: Information about the organisations and institutions participating in the Library Map of the World by providing data, country profile content, or SDG stories.
What is the purpose of the country profiles?
Country profiles offer a single access point to everything the Library Map of the World holds about a country. They make it easier to understand:
- How the country’s library system is structured;
- Which organisations and institutions support and govern libraries;
- What policies and laws shape library services;
- How library professionals are educated and qualified;
- The national professional environment, including publications and events;
- How libraries contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals;
- The national-level statistics available in the Data Lab.
Together, these profiles help build an overall understanding of how libraries operate in different national contexts and how they contribute to social, cultural, and economic development.
What can you do with this information?
Country profiles help users put national-level information into context and use it for a range of purposes, including:
- Advocacy: Strengthen arguments and evidence when engaging with policymakers, funders and other stakeholders by drawing on verified information about the country’s library landscape.
- Research and analysis: Use country-level information to compare systems, explore trends, and better understand how libraries operate within different policy and governance environments.
- Professional development: Learn about the organisations, education pathways, publications and events that shape professional practice in each country.
- Programme planning: Identify partners, policy frameworks, or successful examples (including SDG stories) that can inform new programmes or initiatives.
- International collaboration: Discover opportunities to connect with contributors and organisations working in similar areas or facing similar challenges.
This additional context helps users make fuller use of the information presented through the Library Map of the World.
Engage with us
If your organisation would like to become a contributor, or collaborate with the current contributor for your country, please contact us at [email protected].