The İzmir Institute of Technology (IZTECH) Library continues to provide the best services to its users in line with the requirements of the digital age. With its significant work in 2024, it continued to make a name for itself both nationally and internationally.

Rich Resources and Quality Services

Prioritizing user satisfaction, the IZTECH Library provided access to 59,619 printed books, 70,102 electronic journals, and 536,824 e-books in 2024. IZTECH members and Technopark companies could easily access the information they needed.

The library announces new publications with a monthly list called “Selections of the Month” and aims to increase user interest. It also provides 24/7 support services to help with information access. Throughout 2024, more than 100 announcements were made through the library’s website, social media, and email lists, and approximately 500 emails were answered. In addition, the “Culture and Art in İzmir” guide, which includes cultural and artistic events in İzmir, has been published since 2022.

Renovated Study Halls

2024 was a year of significant innovation for the IZTECH Library. The study halls were modernized, offering more comfortable spaces for students and researchers. The seating capacity was increased from 1,000 to 1,400. Thanks to the new study halls and expanded seating, a comfortable working environment was provided for everyone. Additionally, individual and group study rooms in the library enable students to work more efficiently.

Scientific Communication Unit and Leadership in Open Science

Established in 2021, the Scientific Communication Unit conducts bibliometric analyses to enhance the contributions of our institute and researchers to the scientific world and to determine their positions in international publication rankings. It also supports open science, the addition of publications to open academic archives, and the creation of researcher profiles. The IZTECH Library has been using GCRIS, Türkiye’s first and only internationally standardized research information and academic archive system, since 2021. With CRIS, İYTE’s entire research ecosystem has been opened to the world and its visibility has been ensured. In GCRIS, which contains different research materials such as publications, data sets, theses, patents, awards and equipment, the rate of articles that can be accessed in full text by everyone as open access has reached 79.82%.

The unit also conducts promotional and orientation activities, website and social media management. As part of the 2024-2025 orientation program, a promotional video was prepared using Artificial Intelligence.

The İYTE Library is a leader in our country in the field of open science and research data management. The library, which aims to provide services in accordance with international standards, participates in national and international projects on open science and research data management, and takes part in various working groups. It also makes scientific publications, organizes meetings, conferences and web seminars.

In 2024, the IZTECH Library organized a total of 9 events, including one at the international level, participated in 16 events, and delivered 23 presentations. From September 24-27, 2024, IZTECH hosted the OpenAIRE General Assembly and Annual Meeting, bringing together 32 participants from different countries. Additionally, during the International Open Access Week held from October 21-27, a live broadcast titled “Our Researchers Ask, We Answer: Common Misconceptions About Open Access” was conducted in collaboration with the Distance Education Application and Research Center (UZEM). Within the scope of the Library Week program; A web seminar titled “Increase Interaction, Reach New Audiences: Social Media Strategies” and a panel titled “Academic Libraries İzmir: What Do We Do?” were held by the İYTE Library. In addition, trainings on different topics were given to İzmir Katip Çelebi University Information and Document Management students.

Moreover, presentations on open science were delivered at significant events such as the IFLA Division D Mid-Term Meeting at Koç University, The 2nd Information/Documentation Management and Cooperation among the Libraries in the Balkan Countries Symposium at Trakya University, the Academic Informatics Conference at Istanbul University, and the Polish Open Science Conference.

EU Projects – National and International Collaborations

Within the scope of two EU projects (HORIZON-WIDERA-2022-ERA-01 project PATTERN and ERASMUS-EDU-2022-CBHE project DIRNA), which started in 2023, face-to-face and online meetings were held throughout the year and intensive work was carried out. Within the framework of the DIRNA project, trainings were given to project partner institutions at the summer school held at Ganja State University in Ganja, Azerbaijan, from July 27 to August 3, 2024. Within the scope of the PATTERN project, trainings on “Reliable Publishers for My Research” were organized by the İYTE Library in three different courses for graduate and doctoral students.

In 2024, roles in national and international boards and working groups continued, along with scientific studies on various topics. A paper titled “University Librarians’ Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence, Application Areas in Libraries, and the Future,” prepared with members of the ANKOS Artificial Intelligence Research Group, was published.

Conclusion

2024 was a successful year for the IZTECH Library. With the projects, events and innovations it has carried out both nationally and internationally, the library has made significant contributions to the academic world and continued its continuous development to provide more efficient services to its users. The strong resources provided by the library, its advanced study areas, scientific communication support and leadership in open science reinforce IZTECH’s vision in the field of research and education.