Presentation Abstract
One Koha, 1,300 Libraries: Architecture and Extensions of Türkiye’s National Public Library System
Architecture, Integrations, and Lessons from Türkiye’s 1,300-Library System
Keywords
Footnotes
Core Architecture & Integrations
Hosted on the Ministry's secure corporate servers, standard Koha was transformed into a highly customized, secure ecosystem.
National ID (MERNİS)
Real-time patron verification via MERNİS, Türkiye's central civil registration database.
e-Government Gateway
Integrated with Turkey's digital government services (e-Devlet).
SMS Verification & 2FA
Patron phone verification & OTP for staff access.
@ Corporate Servers
Data Retrieval
High-speed Elasticsearch integration for 30M+ records.
Single Sign-On (SSO)
Seamless authentication via national digital identity infrastructure.
Interoperability
Z39.50 & OAI-PMH protocols for global data exchange.
Server Infrastructure Snapshot
The Koha web, OPAC, indexing, database, SIP, and STORE layers are distributed across 7 virtual servers. The Koha Intranet tier runs on two active-active nodes, while the remaining services are isolated on dedicated virtual machines.
Total Servers
Deployment Model
Total vCPU
Total RAM
Provisioned Storage
| Service / Component | Servers | Physical / Virtual | CPU | RAM | Disk Capacity | Cluster / Redundancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Koha Intranet | 2 | Sanal | 24 | 96 GB | 200 GB | Aktif-Aktif |
| OPAC | 1 | Sanal | 24 | 96 GB | 200 GB | Tekil |
| Elasticsearch/Zebra | 1 | Sanal | 8 | 24 GB | 1 TB | Tekil |
| Veritabanı | 1 | Sanal | 12 | 92 GB | 2 TB | Tekil |
| SIP | 1 | Sanal | 8 | 24 GB | 200 GB | Tekil |
| STORE | 1 | Sanal | 8 | 24 GB | 200 GB | Tekil |
System Evolution Timeline
Hover or tap a milestone to open quick statistics and operational highlights.
The Challenge of Scale
Operating at a national level requires an unprecedented centralization of resources. Generating massive savings in public resources, the KYGM network manages one of the largest single-instance Koha installations globally.
Libraries Using the System
Ecosystem Volume Comparison
A logarithmic visualization demonstrating the massive data footprint managed by a single infrastructure.
Case Studies, Success Stories & Lessons Learned
This section makes the proposal stronger for KohaCon by surfacing concrete field evidence, custom modules beyond standard Koha, and practical lessons that other library networks can reuse.
Before / After snapshot
A quick reviewer-friendly framing of the operational change, the current state, and the evidence behind it.
Fragmented workflows
Branch-level differences, manual patron movement, local workarounds for prison-library cases, and uneven reporting quality created operational friction.
Standardized national model
Phone-verified member transfer, reusable prison-user flows, centralized catalog/statistics tools, and documented operating patterns now support the full network.
Measurable effect
1,300+ libraries, 7M+ users, 30M+ items, annual statistics flows for TÜİK, and know-how already reused in Azerbaijan and Moldova.
Case studies
- Nationwide patron mobility with phone verification when transferring members between libraries.
- Special workflows for prison libraries and incarcerated users, including controlled transfer scenarios where standard SMS verification is not applicable, and support for correctional facilities affiliated with different ministries.
- Offline-first circulation and patron registration for rural branches, mobile services, and unstable internet environments.
Success stories
- A single open-source platform serving 1,300+ libraries, 7M users, and 30M items with centralized governance.
- Standardized cataloging quality through pre-cataloging, central catalog requests, special search, and KAŞİF integration with the specially developed KAŞİF Library Automation program used by the National Library of Türkiye.
- National extensions later reused in international modernization efforts such as Azerbaijan and Moldova.
Lessons learned
- Deep customization creates value, but only when paired with documentation, upgrade discipline, and explicit dependency tracking.
- Public-sector security requirements are best handled as workflow design problems, not only as authentication problems.
- Training, role design, and local operational guidance are as important as code in nationwide Koha adoption.
Three-part governance framework
Reusable beyond TürkiyeProduct governance
Define what stays local, what becomes a national standard, and which customizations must remain upgrade-safe.
Operational governance
Document roles, edge cases, fallback paths, and low-connectivity procedures so local teams can work consistently.
Release governance
Track dependencies, test custom modules against real workflows, and schedule upgrades with field evidence rather than assumptions.
Beyond standard Koha: notable KYGM extensions
- Phone verification security control in member transfer from another library.
- “Transfer as Prison User” workflow and bulk normalization tools for prison memberships, including correctional-facility scenarios where SMS verification is bypassed.
- Overdue-item SMS flows, circulation-history approval screen updates, and a “materials overdue by more than 5 years” module.
- Administrative improvements such as cross-branch manager access with one account, permission reset on branch changes, and auto-lock guidance for inactive users.
- Data-quality and operations tools including undefined subject/language detection, VIF-to-Koha conversion, counting pre-file downloads, and the 2026 library statistics module.
Why this matters to the Koha community
It shows that Koha can power a very large public network without sacrificing local service diversity.
It offers reusable patterns for APIs, identity systems, offline circulation, security-sensitive patron flows, and documentation.
It shares the trade-offs honestly: extension debt, upgrade discipline, governance complexity, and how to keep a national fork sustainable.
Media & Presentations
Watch a brief video overview or explore our detailed slide deck regarding the massive scale and impact of the Türkiye Koha Ecosystem.
Known Koha Libraries in Türkiye
Institutions currently known to use Koha in Türkiye, presented with their library type and access link where publicly available.
This list is based on the currently known institutions included in the provided libraries data file.
Proprietary Custom Solutions
Solving localized challenges with global standards. These distinct modules were developed in-house to manage rural connectivity, strict data governance, and vast physical inventories.
Offline-First Circulation App
A modern, İnternet erişimi olmayan kırsal alanlar için React-based web application designed for rural and mobile libraries facing internet connectivity issues.
- ✓ No installation (Browser Storage)
- ✓ Offline patron registration
- ✓ Seamless sync with Koha & MERNİS
Centralized Cataloging Workflow
A specifically designed mechanism routing uncataloged material requests from local branches to a central authority.
- ✓ Strict MARC21 compliance routing
- ✓ Prevents duplicate entries (Dirty Data)
- ✓ Maintains national data quality
Smart Library & Inventory
Custom reporting and stock management modules designed for rapid inventory tracking across 1,300 locations.
TÜİK is the Turkish Statistical Institute. For libraries, its annual statistics provide official data on library numbers, members, collections, and use, helping service planning and national library policy.
- ✓ UHF RFID Smart Library integration
- ✓ Custom Inventory tools
- ✓ Automated statistical reporting
Web-Based Inventory Counting App
A browser-based stocktaking tool built to reduce load on Koha during annual counts while keeping field workflows fast and practical.
- ✓ Camera, external scanner, or manual barcode entry
- ✓ Bulk .txt/.xlsx upload with instant validation against Koha exports
- ✓ ISBN mis-scan alerts and one-click return handoff for checked-out items
Cross-Border Cooperation
Acting as a "Technology Exporter," the KYGM technical team actively modernizes national library infrastructures in allied nations, implementing advanced custom modules.
Azerbaijan
Implementation of a Custom Card Catalog Module, Hierarchical Branch Management, and advanced SQL reporting for the National Library Network.
Moldova
Comprehensive system migration strategies, automation training, and infrastructure modernization protocols.
Global Impact Map
Interactive view of the Türkiye Koha Ecosystem export footprint.