Healing Library: A Public Library Perspective from Türkiye

Abstract

The Directorate General for Libraries and Publications of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye introduced Healing Library as its 2026 national vision for public libraries. Building on the thematic continuity of the previous Smart Library and Producing Library themes, this vision places people, public good and meaningful community relationships at the centre of library transformation.

This poster presents the conceptual framework of the Healing Library approach through three interconnected dimensions: People, Places and Communities. It illustrates how the vision is translated into public library services through creative learning activities, environmental awareness programmes, mobile library services expanding equitable access, and professional collaboration supporting innovation and service development.

The poster also presents the scale of Türkiye's public library network using 2025 national statistics, showing how a nationwide system serves millions of users through libraries, programmes and community-based services. Selected examples from public libraries across Türkiye demonstrate how the Healing Library vision is implemented in different local contexts. Together, they present public libraries as welcoming public spaces that foster learning, participation, well-being and stronger communities through inclusive and people-centred services.