Turkish Waste Collectors Transform Discarded Books into a Public Library

For book lovers, seeing piles of books tossed on the street can be heartbreaking. However, in Ankara, Turkey, garbage collectors have turned these discarded books into a free public library. According to CNN, the library now boasts an impressive collection of 6000 books.

The library's collection grew organically as sanitation workers started rescuing books they discovered during their rounds instead of sending them to landfills. Initially, these books were reserved for employees and their families, but word of the initiative spread. Locals began donating their unwanted books directly, and the idea of creating a community library took shape.

Backed by the local government, the library officially launched in Ankara's Çankaya district in September 2017. Housed in a repurposed brick factory on the sanitation department's premises, it offers a diverse range of books, including children's literature, scientific resources, and titles in English and French. The facility also features a cozy reading lounge and a chess area. Books can be borrowed for two weeks, with the option to extend the loan period, much like traditional libraries.

The initiative has exceeded expectations, with the library now so abundant in resources that it supplies books to schools, prisons, and educational programs. While the Turkish sanitation workers deserve immense credit, they are not alone in their efforts. José Alberto Gutiérrez, for instance, has spent years building a similar library in Colombia through his work as a garbage collector.