Rami Library in Istanbul has won first place in the “Large-Scale Project” category of the 2026 Green Library Awards, organized by the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA).
According to a statement from Türkiye’s Culture and Tourism Ministry on Wednesday, the ministry-affiliated library received the award for its project transforming a 19th-century historic military barracks into a climate-resilient urban public space.
The 11th edition of the awards, organized by IFLA’s Environment, Sustainability and Libraries Section, evaluated projects based on cultural heritage preservation, environmental sustainability, social impact, alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and their potential to serve as models for other countries.
A total of 62 entries from 27 countries were submitted, with 26 projects making the longlist. Seven projects across two categories advanced to the final round.
Rami Library reached the final in the Large-Scale Project category alongside Jinjiang Library of China and the library of Munster Technological University in Ireland, ultimately taking first place.
Final presentations were held as part of the 90th IFLA World Library and Information Congress in Busan, South Korea.
Taner Beyoğlu, director general of Libraries and Publications at Türkiye’s Culture and Tourism Ministry, made the final presentation on behalf of Türkiye. Following the announcement of the official results, Beyoğlu and Rami Library Director Ali Çelik received the award from IFLA Secretary General Sharon Memis.
In her remarks at the ceremony, Memis highlighted Rami Library’s approach to sustainability, saying the project went beyond its environmental dimension.
She said the project stood out for its integrated approach, combining environmental, social, cultural and educational elements with the library’s spaces and programs. She described Rami Library as an international model for a green library that brings together cultural heritage preservation, sustainability and community engagement.
Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy also celebrated the award in a social media post, saying Rami Library had brought Türkiye the pride of an international first-place finish.
Ersoy said the historic Rami Barracks had been transformed into a modern library through an environmentally friendly approach, strong green infrastructure and a model centered on an active public space.
Built between 1826 and 1828, Rami Barracks reopened as Rami Library in 2023 following restoration and adaptive reuse work that preserved its historic character.
Rather than demolishing the structure, the transformation focused on conservation and adaptive reuse. About 36,000 square meters of historic building fabric was preserved using traditional construction techniques and original natural materials.
The barracks, which had suffered structural deterioration and environmental damage over the years, was transformed through the restoration into a public center bringing together knowledge, culture, nature and community life.
Rami Library now has 36,000 square meters of indoor space, 51,000 square meters of green space, a collection of two million books and seating capacity for 4,200 people, making it one of Türkiye’s major knowledge and cultural centers.
The library’s grounds include 696 trees, 99,000 shrubs, a biological pond and wetland areas. The landscaping is designed to support urban biodiversity and help improve the local microclimate.
Rainwater collected from the building’s extensive roof surfaces is reused for landscape irrigation and toilet cisterns. Low-consumption equipment, LED lighting, sensor systems and solar energy applications are used to reduce energy consumption.
Other sustainability measures include separating waste at its source, managing hazardous waste separately, reducing single-use plastics and digitizing internal processes.
The library’s Book Hospital also helps preserve cultural heritage by conserving manuscripts and printed works for future generations.
Rami Library is Türkiye’s first library to receive Biosphere certification and also holds Zero Waste and Green Energy certificates.
The library’s sustainability strategy extends beyond its physical infrastructure.
It seeks to raise environmental awareness through climate literacy initiatives, environment-focused information services, educational programs and hands-on workshops.
Its Accessible Life Center supports access to library services for users of different ages and with varying needs. The library’s 24/7 service and its role as a safe gathering area during disasters also contribute to its function as a public space that strengthens community resilience.
Rami Library welcomed more than 8.2 million visitors between its opening in 2023 and the end of 2025.
During the period, it hosted 8,360 events and 3,000 workshops and educational programs covering areas including sustainability, health, technology, psychology and social sciences.
The library also hosted 4,500 programs in cooperation with civil society organizations, public institutions and other partners. Over the three-year period, 1,611 schools and 325 institutions visited the library.
Rami Library’s first-place finish in the IFLA Green Library Awards highlights how historic heritage preservation, environmental sustainability and contemporary library services can be brought together within a single structure.
The award also reveals how Türkiye’s climate and sustainability policies are being reflected in the cultural and library sectors, while raising Rami Library’s international profile.
