Bilkent University Library was established in 1986 with the commencement of education at Bilkent University, Turkey’s first private (foundation) university. The library was planned as a significant component to support the university’s educational and research mission, in line with the vision of Prof. Dr. İhsan Doğramacı. Initially starting with a collection aimed at supporting the university’s educational activities, the library has grown rapidly over the years to become one of Turkey’s most comprehensive academic libraries today.

Early Years and Development

In October 1986, coinciding with the start of the university’s academic activities, Bilkent University Library began operations with five librarians, two secretaries, and two support staff.  Initially set up to serve the university’s students, academic staff, and administrative personnel the library’s collection expanded rapidly as academic programs diversified  and student numbers increased, providing the infrastructure needed to support scientific research and contribute to academic development. In this regard, the library has adopted a service approach suitable for the digital age by further expanding its electronic resources and digital collections, and it has always kept up with technological advancements in library services.

Nine months after its establishment, the library moved from its temporary location in the housing area to its current location. By 1993, the existing library space was no longer sufficient, leading to the construction of a new building with a capacity for 600,000 books. Completed in 1995, this new building won the 5th National Architecture Award in the Building Category. The East Campus Library, which opened in 1993, has been serving in its current location, the N Building, since 2001.

From the start, Bilkent University Library began planning for automation at a time when other libraries in Turkey were still using card catalogs. In collaboration with Bilkent University Computer Center, the first module of the “Bilkent Library and Information Services System” (BLISS) was launched within two years. By May 1989, the library catalog was available online, and borrowing processes were computerized. As the collection expanded in the following years, new materials were simultaneously added to the system. This way, Bilkent University Library pioneered the development of library automation systems in Turkey and played a key role in advancing modern library services.

Bilkent University Library was the first university library in Turkey to provide electronic access to theses and facilitate interlibrary loan requests via the internet. Moreover, it pioneered exchange programs among librarians of Turkish universities.

Today and the Future

Today, Bilkent University Library occupies an area of 12,423 m² with a seating capacity of 1,433. With its rich collection of printed and electronic resources, modern reading and study areas, and user-friendly services, it continues to support academic success 363 days a year. The library plays a central role in scientific research and leads in providing access to information. The library is at the center of scientific research and organizes various training programs and seminars to facilitate users’ access to information. One-on-one consultation services are offered by library staff to enhance users’ research skills, and various information literacy programs provide support throughout the research process. Thus, the library serves not only as an information center but also as an educational center that develops users’ information skills.

The protocol agreement made in 1987 between Bilkent University and Middle East Technical University was the first of many agreements later made with several university libraries in Ankara, allowing academic staff to borrow books from partner universities. Through its Interlibrary Loan and Document Supply services, Bilkent University Library provides access to many materials from both Turkey and abroad. According to the VII National Resource Sharing Workshop statistics, the library has ranked first among the top ten universities fulfilling the most interlibrary loan (ILL) requests since 2020.

Bilkent University Library and its librarians actively contribute to the development of Turkish libraries and strengthen collaborations by participating in associations such as the Turkish Librarians Association (TKD), the Association of University and Research Librarians (ÜNAK), and the Anatolian University Libraries Consortium (ANKOS). Bilkent University Library is also a member of numerous international associations, including the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), the International Association of Scientific and Technological University Libraries (IATUL), and the Association of European Research Libraries (LIBER).

Mission and Vision

Bilkent University Library is committed to supporting scientific research activities by providing access to information and helping users make informed decisions. Its vision is to provide innovative solutions in education and research as a world-class library, with a focus on maximize user satisfaction. The library aims to support all scientific research and activities to meet the academic information needs of both the Bilkent community and external users today and in the future.