Batman ranks second in Turkey for library usage

According to 2025 library statistics released by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), Batman has ranked second in Turkey for the total number of library visitors, with 2,375,018 visitors, trailing only Istanbul.

When library usage is calculated relative to the population, Batman ranks first in the country. Batman Governor Ekrem Canalp attributed this success to a library model inspired by the Seattle model in the United States, which focuses on having a large central library while ensuring accessibility through satellite locations in surrounding areas.

To achieve this, the local administration collaborated with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Batman Municipality, and the Provincial Special Administration to share costs and expand infrastructure. Of the eight new libraries planned for the region, four are already operational, and the remaining four are expected to open soon.