Şırnak Provincial Public Library has a capacity of 1,475 users and shelf capacity for nearly 62,000 books.
Türkiye’s libraries are seeing record-high patron numbers, memberships and physical expansion, according to Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, who unveiled the milestone figures at the opening of the Şırnak Provincial Public Library.
Ersoy said the total library service area in Türkiye had increased from 320,000 square meters to nearly 900,000 square meters over the past eight years, reaching the highest level in the history of the Republic of Türkiye.
He added that the number of members of public libraries rose from 2.8 million to 7.2 million during the same period, while the number of users increased from 28 million to 39.2 million.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ersoy said the government had made comprehensive investments to ensure that children and young people across Türkiye have easier access to library services.
He said new-generation libraries designed for different age groups and social segments had been introduced in cities in line with public needs, adding that collections had been expanded and facilities had been strengthened with new sections and technological opportunities.
Ersoy said more than 1,300 libraries are currently serving across Türkiye and that library space, seating capacity, membership and user figures had all reached historic highs.
He noted that seating capacity increased from 97,000 to nearly 160,000 over the past eight years, while the number of books in libraries rose from 19 million to 26.1 million.
The minister also said that more than 245 new or renovated libraries had been opened in the past three years alone.
New 8,390-square-meter cultural center for Şırnak
Ersoy said the newly opened Şırnak Provincial Public Library has a capacity of 1,475 users and shelf capacity for nearly 62,000 books, making it one of the city’s most important cultural and information centers.
The facility includes sections for babies aged 0-3, preschool children aged 4-6 and children aged 7-14, as well as four separate adult reading and research halls, a periodicals section and technical service units.
The library also features accessible service rooms for visually and hearing-impaired citizens, workshops for different age groups, a multimedia area and a conference hall, hosting research, education, cultural and artistic activities.
Ersoy highlighted the vital role of libraries in preserving and passing down Şırnak’s rich intellectual and literary heritage — shaped by figures like Molla Ahmed-i Cezerî and Ahmed-i Hânî — to future generations.
He said renovations were completed at district public libraries in İdil, Uludere, Silopi and Güçlükonak over the past five years, while the Cizre 100th Year District Public Library was moved to a new service building.
Ersoy said libraries are no longer only places where people read books, adding that they are being transformed into centers of production and opportunity.
“With our ‘Productive Libraries’ vision, we are transforming libraries into production and opportunity centers that contribute to Türkiye’s social, cultural, scientific and economic development,” Ersoy said.
He added that libraries were being used as spaces for developing ideas and projects by supporting innovation and entrepreneurship.
Ersoy said Türkiye currently has 26 standalone baby libraries, 75 children’s libraries, 21 specialized and literature museum libraries, 12 shopping mall libraries, three airport libraries, two train station libraries and two hospital libraries.
He also noted that 78 mobile libraries provide services to citizens who cannot access fixed library facilities.
While extending best wishes to the new Şırnak Provincial Public Library, the minister noted that library services will expand through digital tools, mobile apps, artificial intelligence and accessibility-focused technology.
