Samsung launches digital library in Ankara


South Korean conglomerate Samsung introduced a digital library catered to researchers at Turkey's state-run Milli Kütüphane (National Library) in the capital Ankara Tuesday.

The library offers more than 27,000 handwritten manuscripts in Ottoman Turkish, Farsi and Arabic, stamps, posters, maps, sheet music and records for researchers and enthusiasts of vintage books and music. The library opened by Culture and Tourism Minister Nabi Avcı and South Korean Ambassador in Turkey Yun Soo Cho, also offers access to millions of pages of newspapers and magazines published since 1928.

Nabi Avcı said the digital library contributed to their efforts for a technological update to the National Library and they are already working on converting material to digital media and web-based services for readers.

The digital library hall offers simultaneous access to 76 users via tablets, laptops and digital kiosks.