Investigation of Library Function in Historical Buildings in the Context of Design Criteria: Üsküdar Selimiye Children's Library

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the library function in historical buildings, specifically at the & Uuml;sk & uuml;dar Selimiye Children's Library, in the context of children's library design criteria based on existing literature. The study is essential in contributing to the literature on children's library design criteria and the & Uuml;sk & uuml;dar Selimiye Children's Library. Method: A literature review was conducted on the library function in historical buildings and the design criteria of children's libraries, grouping the design criteria under five main headings. These five criteria and their sub-indicators were analyzed using a descriptive analysis method at the & Uuml;sk & uuml;dar Selimiye Children's Library. Tables were created using the data obtained from the analysis and quantified by assigning scores. Findings: Five criteria, namely Environmental Features, Interior Space, Facilities, Safety and Well-being, which emerged in line with the building design criteria in the book titled "A Guide to Children's Library Services" (Y & imath;lmaz, 2019) published by the International Federation of Library Associations and Organizations (IFLA), were evaluated through & Uuml;sk & uuml;dar Selimiye Children's Library, which was determined as a sample. The findings show that although there are design criteria for libraries and the library is intended to be designed with these criteria in mind, the historical nature of the building may not make some interventions and actions possible. On the other hand, if the previous function of historical buildings is similar to the new function, these criteria may be met. The sample building considered in this study, which initially served as a school, was later used as a police station and a library. The fact that it now functions as a library, with the last two functions being the same, has been effective in ensuring that it mostly meets the criteria for a children's library. Implications: Due to some limitations in historic buildings, the criteria are applied under the dominance of the historic building, and while many basic indicators are met, many others may be missing for this reason. The study reveals the extent to which the criteria for a children's library can be applied in a historic building. Originality: In the literature, there are many studies on children's libraries in historical buildings, children's libraries, & Uuml;sk & uuml;dar Selimiye Children's Library, but this study is unique in terms of evaluating & Uuml;sk & uuml;dar Selimiye Children's Library according to the design criteria developed in accordance with IFLA objectives and the 'Children's Library Services Guide' book.

Dergi

TURKISH LIBRARIANSHIP

Yıl

2026

Cilt

40

Sayı

1

Sayfa

1-24

ISSN

1300-0039

eISSN

2147-9682

DOI

10.24146/tk.1627828

WoS UID

WOS:001734030600001