A professional training seminar titled “Setting Up, Managing and Developing Libraries in Modern University Librarianship” was held as a result of the Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) and Anatolian University Libraries Consortium (ANKOS) collaboration. The opening ceremony of the event took place at EMU
Özay Oral Library on Friday, the 26 th of January 2018 at 09:00 a.m.. The event aimed to support the professional development of library workers in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) as well as the Turkish Cypriot libraries.
Having commenced with a musical performance by the students of Eastern Mediterranean University, Education Faculty, Fine Arts Department, Music Teaching Program, the opening ceremony continued with the opening address of the Director of EMU Özay Oral Library Osman Soykan. In this speech, Soykan stated that they organised the seminar in collaboration with ANKOS to find answers to the important question “What steps can be taken in the field of librarianship in line with the increasing number of universities in the TRNC?” Expressing his pleasure in witnessing 14 universities participating in the said organisation, Soykan conveyed his feelings as follows: “ANKOS is our joint pride. Support of the library refers to information support”. At the end of his speech, Soykan thanked all those who contributed to the organisation of the seminar.
Following Soykan, President of ANKOS and Director of Koç University Library Tuba Akbaytürk Çanak also delivered a speech in which she stated that the higher education in the TRNC is at a very important point and that one of the most important components of a university is the library. Putting forth that the quality level of a university corresponds with its library facilities, Çanak also touched upon the importance of the collaborations between libraries and librarians. At the end of her speech, Çanak expressed her happiness in participating in this event in the TRNC and thanked EMU administration for their hospitality.
Vice Rector for Administrative and Technical Affairs Prof. Dr. Özgür Eren also delivered a speech and stated his happiness in being a part of a meaningful event like this. Highlighting the three important parts of EMU’s mission which are education, research and community services, Prof. Dr. Eren added that successful achievements of the university are important indicators of its quality level. At the end of his speech, Prof. Dr. Eren wished all participants a productive event.
Following the opening speeches, Prof. Dr. Eren presented President of ANKOS Tuba Akbaytürk Çanak a silver plate in appreciation for her contributions to the organisation and Çanak presented a porcelain plate to Prof. Dr. Eren in appreciation of the event.
Important Presentations were Delivered
The presentations delivered in the event were as follows:
Koç University Library Director and ANKOS Chair Tuba Akbaytürk Çanak “What is Ankos, and Its Operation Areas?”, Bilgi University Library Director Sami Çukadar “Information Literacy in University Libraries”, MEF University Library Director Ertuğrul Çimen “Collection Development and Management”, Ibn Haldun University Library Department Head Sönmez Çelik “Library Webpage Management” and the duo of İzmir Institute of Technology Library, Expert Librarian Gönül Kafalı Can and Middle East Technical University Library, Expert Librarian Üstün Berk Sezgin “The Selection and Management of Electronic Resources”
