Reading culture in Bartın city in the scope of life-long learning: A case study

One of the most important factors to determine the development level of societies is reading culture. Societies with reading culture are modern and contemporary societies which have completed their cultural, economic and social development and has the ability to do what is necessary for democracy. Reading culture elements including books, newspapers, magazines, libraries, stationeries, bookstores and several activities are long known to have taken place in Bartın where the sampling of the study is formed. Thus, revealing by means of Bartın Cumhuriyetçi Memleket (Bartın Republican Homeland) Newspaper how reading culture was supported between 1929 and 2015 in Bartın within the scope of life long learning constitutes the aim of this study. The data used in the study has been obtained via document examination which is one of the qualitative research designs. In this scope Bartın Cumhuriyetçi Memleket (Bartın Republican Homeland) Newspaper which is one of the oldest three newspapers in Turkey and still published has been examined. Accordingly, all the news (news, columns, advertisements, etc.) having taken place in the mentioned newspaper between Januart 1, 1929 and December 31, 2015 and relating the reading culture directly have been included in the study. In the analysis of data, categorical content analysis, one of the content analysis methods has been used. Messages obtained from data have been gathered, examined and thematic coding has been made after evaluating the messages in accordance with their similarities and differences. Five different categories have been created in line with codings. According to the examination result 740 news regarding the subject have been determined. In this context, 460 news were about reading materials, 100 were related to activities to getting people adopt reading habit, 68 were about getting people adopt reading habit, 57 were about providing reading materials and 55 were supportive to non-profit organisations targeting getting people adopt reading habit. The study reveals the works carried out related to forming reading culture both before and after Bartın became a province. The study shows Bartın Cumhuriyetçi Memleket Newspaper has made a significant contribution to creating and developing reading culture in Bartın. According to the results of the study, potential regulations in education and culture policies are considered to have an important impact in creating and developing reading culture. Besides, essential activities are considered vital given the impact of media on society. Also the works of municipalities and non-governmental organisations regarding reading culture are essential. In addition, this study is considered to be helpful for other researchers to carry out studies regarding reading culture. Key Words: Reading Culture, Life Long Learning, Bartın Cumhuriyetçi Memleket Newspaper