Examination of children's literature books with a library theme in the context of reading culture

This study, aiming to determine how children's literature books with a library theme are presented in the context of reading culture, was conducted using a document analysis method within qualitative research methodologies. The study involved an examination of different books targeting preschool, elementary, and middle school levels that contain the image of a library. Data obtained from the evaluated books underwent thematic analysis. The codes resulting from thematic analysis were consolidated under relevant findings and presented. Through the analysis of research data, themes related to libraries in selected children's books, meanings attributed to reading through libraries, the presentation of adults, peers, and other characters in the context of libraries, and the visual design features of libraries in these books were obtained. The study revealed themes such as imagination associated with libraries, a source of knowledge, friendship, the importance of books, education, love of reading, exploration, and the significance of the library. It was observed that meanings such as reading, learning, creativity, imagination, socialization, cultural development, entertainment, and personal development were loaded onto libraries in these books. When examining the visuals of the books, it was determined that libraries were depicted as colorful, fun, adventurous, mysterious, spacious places specifically designed to cater to children.