Best-Practice public libraries in Turkey: Izmir, Van and Bartin/Ulus Public Libraries

Abstract

Turkish public libraries have had some serious problems for a long time. A central public library system is lacking, there is no national organisational strategy, also an insufficient number of personnel and financial means as well as non-functional school libraries are some of the major reasons that account for this negative situation. Nevertheless, some cases of Best-Practice have been achieved under these hardend conditions. For instance Izmir Atatrk Province Public Library is a good example of Best-Practice from Western Turkey, so are the Van Province Public Library from Eastern Turkey and the Bartin/Ulus Public Library from Northern Turkey.