Ankara Adnan Ötüken Provincial Public Library

Ankara Adnan Ötüken Provincial Public Library was established on 25 July 1922 in the basement of the Ministry of National Education. On July 26 of the same year, it began operations under the name “General Education Library.” In 1934, it acquired the status of a reference library. On August 16, 1965, it was restructured according to the public library model and began serving as a modern public library. This institution, one of the first libraries established during the Republic era, is among the pioneers of modern public librarianship in Türkiye.

Adnan Ötüken, after whom the library is named, played a key role in the institutionalization of librarianship in Türkiye. As the first director general of the General Directorate of Libraries, established in 1946, he organized the public library system. Ötüken, who passed away in 1981, was immortalized when his name was given to this library in 1985.

_{Adnan Ötüken. Source:} Anadolu Agency

Library has been operating since 1944–1946 in a building designed and constructed by German architect Paul Bonatz. The building, designated as a first-degree urban protected area in 1979, has undergone various renovation and restoration projects over time. In 2018, a large portion of its collection was transferred to the Presidential National Library, yet user services were not disrupted and the collection was supplemented with current publications.

_Source: Anadolu Agency

Today the library holds a collection of approximately 80,000 books. The collection is rich in history, literature, social sciences, children’s books and exam preparation materials. It also provides access to periodicals, audiovisual materials and electronic resources. In the past, the library also served as Türkiye’s central reference repository.

The library offers its users a wide range of services including lending, reference assistance, internet access, individual and group study areas, and dedicated children’s and youth sections. It fosters an active cultural life through events such as lectures, book launches, author-reader meetings and educational workshops. Additionally, it provides books in Braille and audio content for visually impaired users. In recent years, it has ensured uninterrupted access through sections operating 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

Located in one of the central points of Ankara, the library building is designed with a simple and functional modernist approach. The structure features high-ceilinged reading rooms, naturally lit workspaces, and dedicated children’s and youth sections, combining both aesthetic and functional qualities. Designated as a protected site in 1979, the building is also part of Ankara’s cultural heritage.

_Source: Anadolu Agency

By upgrading its technological infrastructure, the library has become a leader in digital services. Patrons can easily borrow materials using self-check kiosks and benefit from digital services such as online catalogs, e-book access and integration with digital State platforms.

Adnan Ötüken Provincial Public Library is not merely an information center but also a vital cultural and social space in the capital Ankara. Frequently chosen by students, academics and researchers, the institution reaches all segments of society through its role in promoting a reading culture. The library, which many important figures of Republic history used during their student years, continues to uphold this legacy today.

Operating under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Adnan Ötüken Provincial Public Library today is a contemporary public library that integrates both traditional and digital services. With its rich collection, modern infrastructure and uninterrupted service model, it remains one of Türkiye’s most important public libraries.