TSKB’s Commitment to Education: Bringing Libraries to 11 Earthquake-Impacted Cities

TSKB initiated a project with the aim of establishing school libraries in cities affected by earthquakes and successfully inaugurated its first library at Mehmet Akif Ersoy Primary School, located in the Gölbaşı district of Adıyaman. The TSKB Centennial of the Republic Library, designed in an enriched library format, houses over 4,000 books, brain training games, technological devices, and educational support tools that contribute to children’s reading skills and intellectual development. During his speech at the opening ceremony of the library, which was established in collaboration with the Turkish Librarians Association and the Adıyaman District Directorate of National Education on September 12, 2023, TSKB CEO Murat Bilgiç said, “As we remain dedicated to actively supporting the social and cultural advancement of our nation through the social projects we undertake, we are also wholeheartedly committed to helping mend the wounds caused by the earthquake disaster we endured in February. I hope that our first enriched library, established in Adıyaman Mehmet Akif Ersoy Primary School, will greatly contribute to the development of our children and young people, who represent our greatest hope. We highly value school libraries, and we aim to open similar libraries in 10 other earthquake-affected provinces by 2025.”

The Industrial Development Bank of Türkiye (TSKB), which has been actively working to support Türkiye’s sustainable development for 73 years, has initiated a comprehensive project aimed at enhancing education in earthquake-affected regions. Having initiated a project to create enriched school libraries equipped with thousands of books, along with a variety of brain training games and educational support tools designed to enhance children’s mental development, the Bank inaugurated its first E-Library, named the “TSKB Centennial of the Republic Library” situated at Mehmet Akif Ersoy Primary School in Gölbaşı district, Adıyaman on September 12, in collaboration with the Turkish Librarians Association and the Adıyaman District Directorate of National Education.

The E-Library, featuring an aesthetically pleasing and ergonomic design, has been carefully crafted as a social activity hub aimed at nurturing students’ passion for knowledge and facilitating their learning experiences. It boasts an extensive collection of over 4 thousand books, an array of brainteasers, state-of-the-art technology, and educational support tools, all designed to enhance children’s reading abilities and foster their intellectual development. 

TSKB CEO Murat Bilgiç: “We set out to extend the reach of the TSKB Library by establishing school libraries in regions impacted by the earthquakes”

TSKB CEO Murat Bilgiç emphasized that the Bank prioritizes the earthquake-affected regions in all its social responsibility projects related to the 100th anniversary of the Republic, adding, “In addition to its pioneering role in the field of sustainable development, TSKB also stands out as an institution that boasts a library. Today, the TSKB Library houses publications that focus on the world of business and finance, along with extensive collections in the fields of sustainability, equal opportunities, law, history, culture, arts, and literature. We set out to extend the reach of the TSKB Library, which has introduced distinguished publications to our country since its establishment, by establishing school libraries in regions impacted by the earthquakes, starting with Adıyaman as the first location.”

“Our first library, established in Adıyaman under the name TSKB Centennial of the Republic Library, is of special value to us”

In his opening speech, Murat Bilgiç addressed the children and said, “I know that you were the ones most affected by the earthquake disasters. But I also know one more thing: you are the strongest among us, for you have a long future ahead of you, and you will shape that future beautifully by drawing strength from your experiences. We will support you and pave the way for you. As you are aware, this year marks the 100th anniversary of our Republic, and we are holding onto a shared hope. We wanted to give our library, which officially opens its doors today, a name that incorporates the Republic, so we named it the TSKB Centennial of the Republic Library. This first library in Anatolia is of special value to us among all our projects. I hope it will also hold a special place in your future. Our library is being launched as an E-Library. In addition to the thousands of books, we wanted to provide you with various games and educational tools that you can enjoy. On behalf of myself and my Bank, I would like to extend my gratitude to the Gölbaşı District Governor, the Gölbaşı District Director of National Education, the Turkish Librarians Association, and all our supporters for their contributions to our TSKB Centennial of the Republic Library.”

“We are committed to establishing z-libraries in 10 more provinces affected by the earthquakes by 2025”

Stating that they take pride in contributing to the lasting legacy of the 100th anniversary of the Republic, bearing the responsibility of an institution with “Türkiye” in its name, Murat Bilgiç concluded his words as follows: “We are committed to supporting the social and cultural development of our country through our various projects, and we are also dedicated to helping heal the wounds caused by the earthquake disaster we experienced in February. I hope that our first enriched library at Adıyaman Mehmet Akif Ersoy Primary School will foster the growth of reading habits, research skills, and inquisitive abilities among our children and youth, who represent our greatest hope. We highly value school libraries, and we aim to open similar libraries in 10 other earthquake-affected provinces by 2025.”

After the earthquake disasters that affected 11 provinces, TSKB and its subsidiary companies donated a total of TL 65 million to AFAD, demonstrating a strong sense of responsibility towards the reconstruction, development, and prosperity of the disaster-affected regions. Afterwards, TSKB’s senior executives visited the chambers of industry located in the earthquake-affected zones. They actively listened to the region’s economic recovery needs on-site and shared the insights and feedback gathered from these meetings with other financial institutions, fostering solidarity within the banking sector to support the affected region.

TSKB remains committed to facilitating the development of sustainable living and production areas that can withstand natural disasters in the affected region and is pursuing additional funding from international financial institutions to support these efforts.

Committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in all its activities, TSKB, through the establishment of school libraries in earthquake-affected areas, directly contributes to SDG 4 - Quality Education and SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities.