University Libraries in Turkey: A Quantitative Assessment According to Standards and Manager Opinions

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The role of libraries in realizing the functions by university libraries carrying out research and publication activities in expected level is great. The functionality of university libraries has a close relationship with their facilities. In this research, the existing conditions of university libraries in Turkey are assessed in the direction of international standards and the opinions of library managers. In Turkey, structuring of universities is in two types as public and foundation. Every kind of needs of public universities is met by share allocated from public sources. Foundation universities are also a commercial institution besides being an education institution. For this reason, they have more facilities than public universities. In the research, assessment points in 2004 standards of American College and Research Libraries are taken as basis in order to determine the existing conditions of university libraries in Turkey. The answers of university library managers for expressions about physical space and conditions, budget, personnel of libraries, collection developing, resource buying and presenting are dealt with the public and foundation university discrimination. The deficiency of facilities of university libraries in Turkey is the biggest handicap especially for public university libraries in presenting a qualified service. Another problem needs to be considered is the optimistic assessments of public university library managers on the existent facilities in spite of the important facility differences between public and foundation libraries.

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University libraries , academic libraries , university libraries in Turkey , Standards for libraries in higher education

Journal Of Graduate School Of Social Sciences

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Journal Of Graduate School Of Social Sciences