Kütüphan-e Türkiye Projesi: Halk Kütüphanesi Potansiyel Kullanım Araştırması

Abstract

In this study, the findings of the Public Library Potential Usage Survey that was implemented under the Librar-e Turkey Project were evaluated. Potential public library usage was investigated in terms of different aspects in the study. The relationships between some variables (such as age, income level) and the public library usage were analyzed in 26 provinces which were selected in accordance with NUTS - The Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics, Level Two. The differences of usage patterns among geographical regions were also examined. The Potential Public Library Usage Survey was applied to 2654 people at the 26 provinces selected for the Librar-e Turkey Project and was conducted from February 20, 2014 through March 18, 2014. With the 24-question survey, some detailed information about various aspects such as the level of the public library usage, reasons for not using the public libraries, the information and communication technologies usage skills of the potential users were gathered. The results of the study showed that the people living in rural areas tend to benefit less from public libraries than the ones in urban areas. It was observed that those who do not use public libraries do not have such a necessity. It was also determined that library use displays different patterns depending on such variables as education, employment status, age, income level, and place of residence by geographic regions. The areas in which free training at the public libraries are demanded by the potential users were also specified through the Survey, which was important in terms of Project planning activities