Minister Ersoy inaugurated the Münif Pasha 100th Year Public Library.

Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy attended the opening ceremony of the Münif Paşa 100th Year Provincial Public Library, which has been completed in Gaziantep. Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Ersoy stated, “In 2024, the number of libraries serving under our ministry has reached 1,296, and in the last five years, 275 public libraries have been restructured.”

Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, who was in Gaziantep for a series of programs and openings, participated in the opening ceremony of the completed Münif Paşa 100th Year Provincial Public Library. In his speech at the ceremony, Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy mentioned that there are a total of 14 libraries in Gaziantep, and the newly built library will serve with 85,000 books in a closed area of 5,100 square meters, stating that there will be good news for the city in the near future. Minister Ersoy also announced that the number of libraries serving under the ministry has reached 1,296.

“We have brought a new and modern library to our city”

Starting his speech at the ceremony by providing information about the newly opened library, Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said, “Today, we are not just opening a space surrounded by walls. This library we are inaugurating is designed as a center to develop curiosity and provide an accessible source of information to people from all segments of society. This library is not only a place where books are kept but also a platform where ideas, culture, and knowledge are shared. Here, there will be resources that will benefit people of all age groups. In addition to ensuring that our children can easily access basic information, we also aim to develop their imagination. We believe it will be a place that supports the educational processes of our youth and lays the foundation for their cultural development. In order to bring a new and modern library to our city, our Metropolitan Municipality has carried out the allocation of the land for this building, which has a closed area of 5,100 square meters. Therefore, I also thank our Metropolitan Municipality on behalf of our mayor. I also thank our governor’s office for their support during this process. Later, we as the ministry initiated the work. The project was prepared, the tender was held, construction work began, and today we are inaugurating it. Our library currently has 85,000 books. I believe this number will increase even more in the future. Additionally, there is a conference hall within the library. Our library includes various sections such as reading halls for adults, activity rooms for babies and children, individual and group study areas, a periodicals section, and free study areas. We will add value to Gaziantep with events, workshops, interviews, and trainings to be organized in our library,” he expressed.

“The number of libraries has reached 1,296, and 275 public libraries have been restructured in the last five years”

Continuing his speech with explanations about the libraries built across the country, Minister Ersoy stated, “Considering the contributions libraries make to the development of especially new generations, we have intensified our efforts in this area as the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. As of 2024, the number of libraries serving under our ministry has reached 1,296. In the last five years, 275 public libraries have been restructured, and we continue to work on the improvement and restructuring of nearly 200 public libraries. We provide services with 80 mobile libraries equipped with modern tools and equipment to users who cannot benefit from established library services. Additionally, we temporarily provide services to requesting institutions and organizations, primarily those with projects aimed at individuals with disabilities and special needs. Furthermore, based on technological and sociological transformations, library services are being developed and diversified in line with the requests, needs, and special requirements of individuals. In this context, we have introduced shopping mall libraries, train station libraries, airport libraries, baby libraries, Justice public libraries, and thematic libraries in various regions of our country,” he stated.

“We have a total of 14 libraries in Gaziantep, and we will have new good news in this regard”

Providing information about the number of libraries in Gaziantep and indicating that they will share new good news soon, Ersoy said, “In Gaziantep, we have a total of 14 libraries, including one provincial, nine district, one branch, and three town public libraries, all under our ministry. I would also like to share a good piece of news regarding our city of Gaziantep, which is very valuable to us. We are also making some efforts to increase the number of existing libraries in our city. God willing, we aim to give you positive news regarding the new libraries we will bring to Gaziantep in the near future.”