Non-formal education of community centers as an educational space: The example of Bolu Community Centers(1932-1951)

Opened on 19 February 1932, Community Centers Language, History and Literature Branch, Fine Arts Branch, Drama Branch, Sports Branch, Social Aid Branch (Internal Aid), Public Courses and Courses Branch, Library and Publications Branch, Village and Branch Museum and Exhibition Branch it was formed. Bolu Community Center was opened in 1932, Düzce Community Center in 1934 and Akçakoca, Gerede, Göynük and Mudurnu Community Center were opened in 1935. In 1949, Mengen and Seben Community Center and Bolu Community Centers, which reached eight in number, carried out intensive non-formal education activities. The aim of this research is to determine the activities of the Community Centers, an important institution of our Turkish education and cultural history, in the field of non-formal education and to examine in depth The Example of Bolu Community Centers. For this purpose, the research was carried out by using document analysis model which is one of the qualitative research methods. The research was completed in four chapters. In the first part, the aim, problems, limitations and assumptions of the research are given. Afterwards, theoretical information about Turkish Hearths (Türk Ocakları), Community Centers and non-formal education was given and related researches were examined. The third part consists of the method, model, data collection process and technical information about the analysis. At the end of the study, the establishment of Bolu Community Centers, the general services provided by the branches as well as non-formal training activities carried out by the branches were included. Depending on the data obtained from the research, various conclusions have been reached and recommendations have been made. Key Words: Community Centers, Non-Formal Education, Public Courses and Courses Branch, Literacy Course, Language, Literature and History Branch, Drama.