Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy Said His Ministry Is Taking Steps to Turn Libraries Into Production and Opportunity Centers That Will Contribute

Speaking at the opening of the Şırnak Provincial Public Library, Ersoy said the facility spans 8,390 square meters, seats 1,475 users and holds roughly 62,000 books. He noted that over the past five years, libraries in İdil, Uludere, Silopi and Güçlükonak districts were modernized, and the Cizre 100th Year District Public Library moved to a new building. Ersoy said more than 1,300 libraries operate nationwide, including 26 standalone baby libraries, 75 children's libraries, 21 special and literature museum libraries, 12 shopping mall libraries, three airport libraries, two train station libraries and two hospital libraries, plus 78 mobile libraries.

Over the past eight years, the total floor area of public libraries grew from about 320,000 to 900,000 square meters, seating capacity rose from 97,000 to about 160,000, membership climbed from 2.8 million to 7.2 million, users increased from 28 million to 39.2 million, and the total book count reached 26.1 million from 19 million. In the last three years alone, more than 245 new or renovated libraries opened. Ersoy also highlighted ongoing digital transformation efforts, including mobile apps and artificial intelligence, saying the ministry never says "enough" when serving the nation.