Garbage collectors in Ankara have turned an abandoned brick factory into a community library full of discarded books.
As someone with a family history in waste management, the story of garbage collectors in Ankara, Turkey, creating an underground library for discarded books resonates deeply. Their appreciation for discarded items is admirable, as they have collected books thrown out in the trash and repurposed them for a community library used before and after shifts.
Originally intended for employees and their families, the library’s collection grew and garnered interest from the wider community. As a result, it was opened to the public in 2017, with locals making direct contributions to the library.
“We started to discuss the idea of creating a library from these books. And when everyone supported it, this project happened,” said Çankaya Mayor Alper Tasdelen, whose local government oversaw the opening of the library.
Today, the library has over 6,000 books ranging from literature to nonfiction and is situated in the Çankaya district of Ankara, offering a unique and valuable resource to the community.
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