Public libraries in Turkey: A retrospective look and the present state

Abstract

The present study offers an overview of the public library system in Turkey and evaluates the libraries from various aspects in the context of the past decade. Public libraries in Turkey are governed by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. As of the end of 2013, there are 1118 public libraries in Turkey with more than one million registered users which is only 1.3% of the total population of the country. The total number of staff in the 1118 public libraries is approximately 3400, of which only 15% are graduates of librarianship programs. As regards collection size, it is observed that there has been a consistent increase in the number of books in public library collections. When considered together with the rate of increase in the total number of registered public library users, however, there has been a major decrease in the number of books per registered public library user in the past decade. The budget allocated for public libraries in Turkey has been consistently greater each year. The public libraries in Turkey offer their services in buildings that vary significantly in terms of architectural design. In general, public libraries in Turkey have been on a developing trend in recent years. On the other hand, the comparisons made in this study with other European countries suggest that there are a number of issues related to public libraries in Turkey that need to be improved.

Estimation of GDP from public library usage: Turkey sample

“…The current Public Library Regulations in Turkey are part of the Law for the Foundation of Ministry of Culture and Tourism, which include institutional structure and the duties of the ministry. This regulation is insufficient in terms of the rules and principles related to public libraries (Al and Akıllı, 2015).…”

Libraries as learning environments: the example of “Libraries for Everyone”

“…In a study on public libraries in Turkey (Al and Akıllı, 2016, p. 298), it was found that as of the end of 2013, the proportion of users registered to public libraries was 1.3 percent in total population. In the same study, Turkey was found to be in the lowest (worst) position among 19 European countries in terms of the proportion of registered users in the entire population (Al and Akıllı, 2016, p. 307). Undoubtedly, these findings are the results of various factors.…”

Changing trends in Spanish library services: Conceptualization and measurement in official statistics

“…Regarding the first challenge, to ensure their development and survival, public libraries have had to adapt the services they provide to the changing needs of users (Gallo-León, 2015; Kann-Christensen and Pors, 2004). Due to demographic changes and the economic downturn in the last decade, libraries have focused on their role in helping people (Gauder, 2010), in building community engagement (Goulding, 2009), in providing places for knowledge and hubs for communication and social interaction (Aabø and Audunson, 2012; Horrigan, 2015; Houghton et al, 2013, 2014), in minimizing the digital divide within communities by offering culture, entertainment and Internet connectivity for all (Al and Akıllı, 2015; Cotrill et al, 2015; García-Gómez, 2013; Macdonald, 2012; Russell and Jie Huang, 2009; Sánchez-García and Yubero, 2015), and in contributing to integration as meeting places for people from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds (Audunson, 2005; Audunson et al, 2011; Vårheim 2009, 2014).…”