A treasure trove of Turkish heritage awaits us at Millî Kütüphane. This is the National Library of Turkey in Ankara. It holds stories that span centuries. The Millî Kütüphane stands as a beacon of knowledge. It preserves Turkey’s rich literary and cultural legacy.
Founded on April 15, 1946, Millî Kütüphane emerged from humble beginnings. It started with just 8,000 printed works. Within a year, the collection quickly outgrew its initial space. This forced a move to a temporary building on April 17, 1947. By then, the archive had expanded to an impressive 60,000 items.
Millî Kütüphane officially opened its doors to the public on August 16, 1948. The original building now serves as the Ankara Provincial Public Library. A significant milestone arrived on March 23, 1950. The Grand National Assembly passed a law granting the National Library independent legal status.
Realizing the need for a larger, more modern facility, plans for a new building began in 1965. Construction commenced in 1973. It finally concluded on August 5, 1983. Since then, the library has occupied a spacious 39,000 square meters.
Today, Millî Kütüphane boasts one of the richest collections in Turkey. It holds over three million items. These are categorized into books, old orthography books, periodicals, non-textual materials, and manuscripts. The library’s extensive collection includes 1,314,683 books. There are also 56,550 books in the old orthography. Periodicals number 1,475,129. Non-textual materials total 215,677. The manuscript collection includes 27,478 items.
According to Turkish law, a copy of every work published in the country must be sent to the National Library. In 2017, the library held 4,087,909 manuscripts and printed works. That same year, 629,905 people visited. The library has 26,478 registered members.
Millî Kütüphane is more than just a repository of books. It is a dynamic hub for research and learning. It is easily accessible from all parts of Ankara. The National Digital Library Access Stations extend the library’s reach. Strategically placed in 66 public libraries, they provide access to digitized materials.
As we stand here, surrounded by the Millî Kütüphane, let’s appreciate its significance. It preserves Turkey’s intellectual and cultural heritage. It offers a wealth of knowledge to researchers and the public. The Millî Kütüphane will continue to inspire generations to come. It safeguards the written word for the future.