An Unusual Library: Ankaran Garbage Collectors Start Library With Unwanted Books
- Florencia Lombardi
- May 7, 2021
- 2 min read
A public library was opened in Ankara, the Turkish capital, which is entirely composed of books that had been discarded. Located in a former brick factory, it opened to the public in September 2017 after months of collecting books and accepting donations.
Originally, the library was used by employees and their families, but as the word spread, it officially opened its doors to the public. Since the interest in this unique library grew, lots of people have donated unwanted books to the cause.
Thanks to everyone’s collaboration, the library holds 25,000 fiction and nonfiction books. Now, sanitation workers in need of a break can access the library and choose works from 17 different categories. The book loan lasts two weeks and can be extended to the needs of the customer.
The project has been in continuous expansion since it started. The collection has grown so much that it loans the books to schools, educational programs, and prisons. Children of municipal employees and students from nearby schools often visit the library and enjoy all the titles it offers. A lounge area and chess boards are also available for visitors.
After the success of the library, the workers converted a garbage truck into a mobile library to bring salvaged books to schools and other district libraries.
Bibliography
Diskin, E. (2019, May 15th) Garbage collectors in Turkey opened a library full of discarded books headed for a landfill. Insider
Faingold, S. (2018, January 16th) Garbage collectors open library with abandoned books. CNN
N.A. (2018, January 16th) Garbage Collectors Open Library with Abandoned Books. Waste Advantage Magazine. https://wasteadvantagemag.com/garbage-collectors-open-library-with-abandoned-books/
N.A. (2020, July 1st) Garbage Collector open Library With Abandoned books [Photograph]. Extra Weird. https://www.extraweird.com/garbage-collector-open-library-with-abandoned-books/
Waste360 Editors (2018, January 15th) Garbage Collectors in Turkish Capital Open Library with Abandoned Books. Waste 360.
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