İstanbul’s largest library, Rami Library, has won the prize in the “Grand-Scale Project” category of the 2026 Green Library Awards, organised by the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA). The library was deemed worthy of the award for its project to transform the 19th-century historical military barracks into climate-resilient urban commons.
Presented by IFLA’s Environment, Sustainability and Libraries Section (ENSULIB), the awards celebrate libraries and projects demonstrating outstanding leadership, innovation and impact in environmental sustainability. At the 11th edition of the awards, announced during the IFLA World Library and Information Congress (WLIC 2026) in Busan, Republic of Korea, Rami Library stood out among 62 entries from 27 countries with its multifaceted sustainability initiatives, offering an inspiring model for eco-conscious cultural spaces.
Rami Library’s global first-place win at the IFLA Green Library Awards shows how the preservation of historical heritage can be harmonised with environmental sustainability and modern library services under the same roof. While enhancing the library’s international visibility, this award also highlights how Türkiye’s climate and sustainability policies shape librarianship, as well as the country’s commitment to preserving cultural heritage.
Preserving the Past, Embracing the Future
Constructed between 1826 and 1828, Rami Barracks reopened its doors as one of Europe’s leading libraries in 2023 following restoration, renovation, and construction work. During the transformation, the team adopted a conservation and adaptive reuse approach, preserving the structure’s historical identity and original materials.
With a closed area of 36,000 m² and a seating capacity of 4,200 people, the Rami Library is one of Türkiye’s major information centres. The Rami campus’ numerous sections, including a digital library, a youth library, an adult library, and various specialised libraries, provide a modern library experience for visitors of all ages through their diversity.
Biodiversity and Environmental Sustainability
Beyond preserving its rich heritage, Rami Library places environmental sustainability at the core of its modern design. It features a 51,000 m² landscaped area—making it the library with the largest indoor landscape area in Europe—including 696 trees, 99,000 shrubs, a biological pond, and reed beds. These areas support urban biodiversity and help improve the local microclimate.
Rainwater harvested from the building’s expansive roof surfaces is reused for landscape irrigation and toilet flushing. The library aims to reduce energy consumption through low-consumption equipment, LED lighting, sensor systems, and solar energy applications. The library also sorts waste at the source, manages hazardous waste separately, reduces single-use plastics, and digitises internal operational processes.
Beyond the Environment: Social and Cultural Dimensions
However, rather than viewing sustainability solely through environmental and historical terms, Rami Library embraces a holistic approach that integrates social, cultural, and educational dimensions into both its spaces and programming. Through its cultural programmes and inclusive community services, the library responds to society’s cultural, educational, and artistic needs, embodying the concept of a “living library.”
This approach reflects sustainability through initiatives that foster climate literacy, including environment-themed information services, training sessions, and practical workshops. The library’s Accessible Resources Centre further supports access to library services for users of diverse ages and needs. Meanwhile, the Şifahane (restoration unit) plays a vital role in safeguarding cultural heritage for future generations by conserving and restoring rare manuscripts and printed materials.
In addition to these distinct sections and social services, Rami Library operates 24/7 and serves as a safe assembly point during disasters, making it a crucial public space for social resilience. With all these multifaceted sustainability initiatives, Rami Library became the first library in Türkiye to receive the “Biosphere Sustainable Museum Certification”, and the country’s first to hold both the “Zero Waste Certificate and the Green Energy Certificate.”
Since opening in 2023, Rami Library has welcomed over 8.2 million visitors through the end of 2025. It now invites eco-conscious visitors to experience its holistic living library concept firsthand, driven by its award-winning sustainability project. ///nCa, 6 September 2026 (in cooperation with the Embassy of Turkiye in Turkmenistan)