Lightning talk presentation at CONUL 2023: Sense and Sustainability UCC is a world-leader in Green Campus/Sustainability initiatives and UCC Library has been at the vanguard of this work. As part of these measures UCC mapped its research, learning and teaching to the Sustainability Development Goals (SDG) in late 2022. Taking our cue from Emma Horgan’s long-term role in UCC Library’s Green team and Elaine Harrington’s increasing drive to engage with the wider community we sought to implement the SDG Mapping on a local scale. To maximise use of UCC Library’s Special Collections & Archives’ collections we will show why and how mapping our unique and distinctive collections (UDCs) to the SDGs will promote use of the collections by the UCC community and further afield. This work will also tie into UCC’s current research programme ‘Futures’ which “mines the frontiers of curiosity and inquiry at the intersection of disciplines.” In this presentation we describe how we applied the models established by UCC to evaluate SDG coverage in our collections, visualise that coverage and potential gaps, and reflect on how we can enhance SDG integration into our collections. We know that some uncatalogued/unlisted collections will be excluded but many collections already show a longitudinal perspective in developing this area. We will also give recommendations for how this activity and creating a specific Green UDC aligns with UCC’s 2023-2028 strategic plan and goals, as well as the Connected University framework. We address the opportunities for research and teaching that this activity will build on the fruitful collaboration between the University’s Sustainability Team and the Library’s Green Team locally. Integrating this SDG mapping to UDCs will enable students, staff and researchers to futureproof research, teaching & learning needs. Significantly, this interdisciplinary activity offers a benchmark for all library collections, not limited to UDCs alone, as this activity has the potential for worldwide application.

1. When the SDGs Met the UDCs:
Future Proofing Research
Elaine Harrington | Special Collections Librarian | @walkerabroad
Emma Horgan | Library Archivist | @emshorgan24
UCC Library | @UCCLibrary
CONUL: Sense & Sustainability | 25 May 2023

2. Unique Distinct Collections: UDCs
“UDCs may consist of all types of documentary material: manuscripts and archives, books, pamphlets and periodicals, maps,
graphic materials, sound and moving image material, as well as born-digital and digitised collections. A UDC may consist of
entirely unique or rare materials; more commonly its uniqueness or distinctiveness derives from the totality of items rather than
individual items that may not be special themselves.” (UDCs Definition, CONUL Taskforce)
85 90
Special Collections
& Archives' UDCs + = 175

3. Origin Story

4. Interactive
Mapping
Module
Template
https://www.ucc.ie/en/sdg-
toolkit/teaching/tool/interactive
-mapping/module/

5. Spiky Graph
Template
https://www.ucc.ie/en/sdg-
toolkit/teaching/tool/interactive-
mapping/module/

6. Methodology: Approach to Mapping the UDCs
Identify collections
Mindful of time constraints
Reviewing content

7. Results & Visualisations
UDC Example: Photobook Collection, Special Collections
20th-21st Century Collection
Example of a collection in
response to archival collection
acquisitions.
Example of how a modern
collection align with SDGs.

8. Results & Visualisations
UDC Example: Attic Press Collection, Archival Collection
Late 20th Century Collection
On first glance, the collection seems
to reflect many of the SDG headings.
Mapping highlighted some
unexpected patterns.

9. Analysis of Results
Just as much significance in lack of data, as in presented data.
Surpassed our expectations in how many individual collections the model can be applied to.
Identification of previously unseen connections between collections.
Constantly evolving model.
Solution driven approach.
UDC Example: Items in
the Photobook
Collection, Special
Collections

10. Application to a New Green UDC
Top: ‘Panorama of Cork’ in Charles Smith. The antient and present state of the county and city of Cork (1750)
Bottom: 'Green UDC' written in Irish Tree Font. Katie Holten Irish Tree Alphabet http://www.treealphabet.ie/

11. Learnings
Data driven.
Impact of evidence /use.
This is one lens but there are others.
We need better / consistent communication.
Constantly reinforce with our stakeholders
If you can't measure it, you can't fix it.
UDC Example: Item in the
Attic Press Collection,
Archival Collection
Scan to view
UDC mappings

12. Resources
Sustainable Development Goals in UCC Research https://www.ucc.ie/en/research/sdgs/
Sustainable Development Goals Toolkit https://www.ucc.ie/en/sdg-toolkit/
Map your module https://www.ucc.ie/en/sdg-toolkit/teaching/tool/interactive-
mapping/module/
UCC Strategic Plan https://www.ucc.ie/en/president/strategy2028/

13. Contact Details
Elaine Harrington,
Special Collections Librarian
UCC Library
University College Cork
e.harrington@ucc.ie
@walkerabroad
Emma Horgan
Library Archivist
UCC Library
University College Cork
emma.horgan@ucc.ie
@emshorgan24