The number of libraries in Türkiye reached 44,829 in 2024, according to a statement released Wednesday by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat).

The total includes a range of institutions: 1 Nations' Library, 1 National Library, 1,301 public libraries, 637 university libraries, and 42,889 libraries in formal and non-formal educational institutions.

The overall number of books across these libraries climbed to 117,172,954, indicating a steady investment in access to knowledge and academic resources nationwide.

Growth in Major Library Categories

The Nations' Library, which began reporting data through administrative records in 2023, saw its collection grow by 3.2%, reaching 2.61 million books. The National Library followed with an 8.3% increase, now holding 1.83 million books.

University libraries experienced a 3.5% increase in printed book collections, totaling over 22.4 million volumes, while public libraries held 25.08 million books, up by 3.6%. In contrast, the number of books in formal and non-formal educational institutions declined by 5.4%, falling to 65.2 million.

Surge in Electronic Resources and Library Use

Türkiye’s 637 university libraries—comprising 487 in state universities and 150 in foundation universities—showed strong digital engagement, with electronic books increasing by 6.0%, reaching over 125 million. However, non-book materials such as CDs and DVDs declined by 4.1%, now totaling 1.59 million items.

University library membership rose by 2.0%, reaching 4.28 million registered users, while public libraries experienced a 15.4% increase in usage, drawing nearly 38.74 million visitors. The number of registered public library members also grew by 8.6%, totaling 6.73 million.

Book Publishing Sees Decline

Despite the overall growth in library usage and collections, book publishing in Türkiye fell by 6.5% in 2024 compared to the previous year. A total of 92,595 materials were published, with 73,482 of them categorized as books.

An analysis of the subject matter of published works showed a relatively balanced distribution: 21.4% were academic publications, 21.3% were adult fiction literature, and 19.4% were educational materials.

The figures reflect both progress and challenges in Türkiye’s knowledge and cultural sectors. While library engagement and digital resources are on the rise, the publishing industry's decline highlights areas for renewed focus in national education and literary development. (ILKHA)