Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Özay Oral Library celebrated the 55th Library Week, which is observed in the Republic of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus between 25 and 31 March 2019. The official opening of the week took place at EMU Library Auditorium at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, 25 March 2019.
In his opening speech, EMU Özay Oral Library Acting Director Osman Soykan indicated that they will be organizing different activities to draw attention to the societal importance of books, knowledge, reading and libraries. Stating that libraries came into existence with the invention of writing and grew steadily ever since, Soykan emphasized that knowledge is an important force in society. Mentioning the serious investment made to electronic library services by university management in recent years, Soykan went on to express that research activity and academic output have increased parallel to this investment. Soykan concluded by highlighting their goal of further improving the EMU library with a strong focus on information technologies.
In a speech of his own, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Osam noted that Library Week is one of the events which they value the most and highlighted the importance of access to knowledge. Stating that it is a lot easier to access information today than it was before, Prof. Dr. Osam indicated that libraries are combining new functions with the old to provide incredible services. Expressing his pride in the sophistication of EMU’s database Prof. Dr. Osam noted that they chose the slogan “Virtue, Knowledge and Advancement” for EMU’s 40th year because of their belief people can make better contributions to the world when knowledge is transformed into virtue.
Documentary Screening
Following the opening addresses, at 10:30 a.m., a screening of the documentary titled “Birds of Feather: Stories from a Conflict Zone” took place with Turkish, Greek and English sub-titles. Following the documentary screening, EMU Communication Faculty, Cinema and TV Department academic staff member Assist. Prof. Dr. Yetin Arslan delivered a talk on the film and provided her academic evaluation.
Award Ceremony and Book Reading Activity
In scope of the 55th Library Week activities, at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, 27 March 2019, three students who borrowed the highest number of books in 2018 were presented awards by EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Osam.
On the other hand, a book reading activity took place at Özal Oral Library yard between 11:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Taking place for the 8th time under the organisation of the Turkish Librarians’ Association, this year’s 30-minute book reading activity was held concurrently in Turkey and the TRNC with the slogan “Reading Changes’. Students from Yeniboğaziçi Elementary School also participated in the said event.
On the same day between 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., a panel titled “Publishing in the TRNC” was held under the moderation of Vice Rector for Administrative and Technical Affairs Prof. Dr. Naciye Doratlı. EMU Publishing House Executive Board Chair Prof. Dr. Vugar Sultanzade, Khora Publishing Director Mustafa Keleşzade, Rüstem Bookstore Culture and Arts Consultant Halil Duranay, and the Cyprus Turkish Education Foundation General Director Şevki Barutçu delivered presentations as part of the said panel.
Poetry Sharing Activity
In scope of the Library Week, on Thursday, 28 March 2019, an event titled “I am Reading Poetry: Poetry Sharing Activity” took place at the Library yard between 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Then, between 2:00 p.m and 4:00 p.m, User Training Expert Ece Saraçoğlu delivered a seminar titled ‘EIKON & Datastream Database Promotion and User Training’ at EMU Library Hall. During the same hours, library users played entertaining and informative library games. Students were handed out envelopes containing the names of books. They were then asked to find the locations of these books after carrying out computer searches and to bring the books to the designated area in the quickest manner possible. At the end of the competition participants were handed out a number of gifts.
