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It is estimated that an average of 320 million books are discarded globally each year. In the Cankaya district of Ankara, Türkiye, sanitation workers have joined forces to collect these discarded books, transforming them into a library over the years.
Built on the grounds of an abandoned brick factory, the library opens up a treasure trove of thousands of discarded books that have been collected and repurposed, becoming a source of knowledge for many. Thanks to significant contributions from the community, the library has been open to the public since September 2017.
The idea for establishing the library originated from sanitation workers who frequently encountered old books discarded in trash cans. They collected them and gradually accumulated a collection for themselves and their families. Upon learning of this meaningful act, local residents also began donating books, and the city subsequently decided to open a public library.
Currently, this unique library has over 50,000 books covering various genres from literature, fiction, scientific research, foreign language books to children's comics, etc. In addition to serving the needs of on-site readers, the library also lends books to organizations such as schools, educational institutions, and prisons.
To manage this "massive" library, the city government hired a full-time librarian, and the library was furnished with bookshelves and decorations made from recycled materials. Now, it serves the people as a community center.
Every day, 700 city garbage collectors can come here to read or play chess during their breaks. Besides the workers eager to learn, the library also attracts many children – the sons and daughters of the workers – and students from nearby schools who come to borrow books. It's also a familiar stop for cyclists from the nearby valley, who often stop by to rest and quickly browse through the pages of a book.
Türkiye is planning to transform a garbage truck into a mobile library to more easily serve the reading culture needs of its citizens. Additionally, the library plans to expand its operations by supporting schools that lack books.
"One person's trash can could be another's treasure," said Alper Tasdelen, Mayor of Çankaya. The sanitation workers in Türkiye, often perceived as a low-educated working class, have challenged many to change their perspective, as they are the very people who bring knowledge to their communities.
