Heybeliada Left Without Library

Triandafilidis Mansion serving as a branch library linked to Orhan Kemal Province Public Library and in restauration since 2013 has been consigned to National Education and residents of Heybeliada, the second largest island of Prince Islands in İstanbul, are left without a library.

The islanders had founded Heybeliada Library Initiative to make Triandafilidis Mansion which had been empty since 2008 and to whose garden trash was thrown, serve as a library again and the Initiative had developed into the Heybeliada Library Organization.

“Demirhan: District National Education rejects”

Serenad Demirhan from Heybeliada Library Organization reporting to bianet quoted that recently they had been informed that the mansion was consigned to District National Education Directorate and would no more serve as a library but as a service building.

”We had written to the authorities of Special Provincial Administration, Ministry of Culture and Ministry of National Education for renovating the wholly wooden library building.

“ Deputy Governor İsmail Gültekin, Provincial Director of Culture and Tourism Nedret Apaydın and Ahmet Emre Bilgili who was on duty before him had supported us during this process and they all had come to our meetings, and that the Special Provincial Administration announced a tender to renovate building as a library.”

Hereupon Demirhan quoted that as to Istanbul Special Provincial Administration being abolished, the assets had been transferred to the Treasure and it had assigned the building to Provincial Demirhan added that hereupon Apaydınr had submitted a petition to forward his demand the building to be assigned as a library yet District National Education Directorate had rejected his request.

Kartal: It is not possible to understand District National Education Directorate

Ali Fuat Kartal, Türkish Libraries Association Director mentioning that inhabitants of Heybeliada looking out for their library set a good example, quoted: Iİt is difficult to understand this attitude of District National Education Directorate.”

Legal struggle for the library continues. (EA/DG)

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