Described as Turkey’s largest archive library, the National Library affiliated with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism has reopened its doors to its readers, which have been closed for a while within the scope of the new type of coronavirus (Covid-19) measures.
Although the National Library, which was closed to readers on March 16 due to Covid-19 and opened its doors today, was quiet on the first day, students preferred the library to study for their exams.
Those who came to the National Library were allowed in after their body temperatures were measured with a thermal camera placed at the entrance of the reader.
In the National Library, where hand disinfectants and hygiene rules regarding Covid-19 are hung on boards on each floor, chairs in the study halls have been reduced horizontally and diagonally in accordance with social distance rules.
Deputy General Director of Libraries and Publications, Ali Odabaş, made a statement to the AA correspondent regarding the measures they took in the National Library and said that they opened the National Library and provincial public libraries today and that their readers can come to the libraries after a 2.5 month break.
Stating that they comply with mask, hygiene and social distance, do not admit readers without a mask, and carry out disinfection work in sinks and study halls, Odabaş said:
“We have reduced the capacity in the study halls. This is how we maintain social distance. As of today, we are providing service with a quarter of the capacity of readers in the National Library and provincial public libraries. We had a reading capacity of 1250 in the National Library. The seating capacity of each hall is different. We have a hall for 459 people. There are 116 people there. “We do not accept many people. We have reduced the number of chairs both diagonally and sideways. Since the anxiety among our citizens continues relatively, there are fewer readers. Even on the first day, the occupancy rate is 47 percent. We have hung warning signs. For the health of our readers and employees, we request our readers to pay utmost attention to the rules we have set.”
Stating that they have also implemented the thermal camera application, Odabaş stated that they also provide service with hand-held thermometers in public libraries.
“One million 100 thousand of our books were read by readers during the pandemic”
Stating that academics and readers can read books and do research in the National Library, Odabaş said, “Our lending service continues in public libraries. As of the moment we closed library services on March 16, 1 million 100 thousand of our books were on the readers. We did not take them back. We believe that the books can remain with them during the pandemic period.” “We have provided information regarding this. Our borrowing services have started as of today.” said.
Stating that activities such as social events, meetings and exhibitions at the National Library will not be held for a while, Odabaş stated that they may change the seating capacity according to the course of the epidemic.
Audiobook is available until June 30
Stating that they activated the e-Book application during the pandemic period and that public library readers had the opportunity to read 4.5 thousand books with the application, Odabaş said that they activated the audiobook service until June 30.
Stating that they hosted academics, artists and writers who are experts in their fields through YouTube, Twitter and Instagram accounts with the “Active Library at Your Home” application during the pandemic period, and that this practice will continue, Odabaş said, “Our goal is to deliver every activity in the libraries to the phones of those who cannot come to the library.” said.
“They do not let anyone in without a mask, I work without worry”
Caner Keleş, who came to work on the first day of the opening of the libraries, stated that he was preparing for the Medical Specialization Exam and that he preferred the library because he could not study comfortably at home.
Keleş said, “Although it is difficult to work with a mask, it is not very problematic. Hand disinfectants are everywhere. There is a space of 5 people between the tables. They do not allow anyone without a mask. In that respect, I work without worry.” he said.
“There are spaces between the tables, so it’s a comfortable environment”
Ali Mecidiye, who is preparing for KPSS, said that he had some anxiety when coming to the library and that he preferred the National Library because he could not study at home.
Mecidiye said, “I came today to test myself. We have a little difficulty in working with a mask, but I am preparing for KPSS, I have to work. The halls are not crowded. There are spaces between the tables, so it is a comfortable environment.” he said.
Source: https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/turkiye/turkiyenin-hafizasi-milli-kutuphane-kapilarini-acti-/1861034
