These observations led me to investigate reading clubs operating in public libraries across Türkiye. As part of my research, I examined 17 reading clubs affiliated with public libraries in different cities throughout the country. The study included the views of 126 club members and interviews with 17 club facilitators. The structures of the clubs varied considerably. While some met once a month, others gathered more or less frequently. Despite these differences, the findings were remarkably similar.

Contribution to Reading Culture

Participants stated that reading clubs helped them develop more regular reading habits. The anticipation of discussing a book at the next meeting was found to be a significant source of motivation for many members. Participants reported not only reading more, but also reflecting more deeply on what they read and gaining opportunities to consider different perspectives. This contributes to the development of key components of reading culture, including regular reading, critical engagement with texts, interpretation, and the sharing of reading experiences with others. One notable finding of the study was that a large proportion of club members were women (84.1%, 106 participants). Women from different age groups and professional backgrounds described reading clubs not merely as gatherings to discuss books, but as environments where they could express themselves, share experiences, and develop social relationships.

One of the most striking findings of the research concerned the social impact of reading clubs. Given the limited opportunities available to many adults for meeting new people and engaging
with others around shared interests, reading clubs fulfill an important function. Participants reported forming new friendships, feeling more comfortable expressing themselves, and becoming more open to different viewpoints. These experiences were particularly evident in the narratives of female participants. For many women, reading clubs represented a social space where they could set aside time for themselves beyond their daily responsibilities, freely share their thoughts, and connect with others who shared similar interests.

Reading clubs influence not only individuals’ social lives but also their relationship with public libraries. The findings showed that participants began using public libraries more frequently and no longer viewed them solely as places for borrowing books. For these individuals, the public library became a place for learning, sharing, and coming together.

Historical Background

Throughout history, reading groups and literary circles have played a significant role, particularly in enabling women to access knowledge and share their ideas. Even during periods when women’s access to education and participation in public life were restricted, reading communities in many countries provided spaces where women could gather, discuss ideas, and learn from one another. Contemporary reading clubs in public libraries serve a similar function. By bringing people together around a shared text, they create opportunities for the exchange of diverse life experiences and support women’s participation in cultural and social life.

This research demonstrates that reading clubs in public libraries are not merely activities designed to encourage reading. They are important structures that contribute to socialization, critical thinking, the development of communication skills, and stronger connections between libraries and their communities. At the same time, they support the development of reading culture by helping individuals integrate reading into their daily lives as a sustainable practice.

Sometimes a conversation that begins around a book can change the way people view the world and one another. This is precisely why reading clubs in public libraries matter. The findings of this study also indicate that these clubs provide spaces that strengthen social solidarity among women, increase participation in cultural life, and offer safe environments in which they can express themselves.

References

Bağcı, E. (2025). An examination of reading clubs in public libraries in Türkiye [Unpublished master’s thesis]. Hacettepe University.

Woolf, V. (2022). A room of one’s own. İletişim Publications.