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Today, Northern Cypriot literature is easily understood in Turkey while Turkish literature is easily understood in Northern Cyprus. Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has a strategic significance for the Republic of Turkey in martial, economic and cultural terms. Maximization of cultural cooperation between the two countries is among the basic goals of Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism which signed the "Cultural Cooperation Protocol" with Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on December 3, 1997. TO this end, a project named 'Turkish Literature in Cyprus' was organized on November 08-13, 2010 with the idea that the representation of contemporary Turkish literature in Northern Cyprus with a broad participation will enrich the cultural life on the island and that it would contribute to the recognition of TRNC in international arena, emphasizing that TRNC is important for Turkey not only in martial but also in cultural terms. Signature days and discussions held with authors enabled Northern Cypriot society to meet contemporary Turkish men of letters. Issues of librarianship and publishing in both countries were addressed in the panels held. Furthermore, the project created an opportunity for developing strategies for mutual participation to fairs, exhibitions, etc. abroad and new chances of inter-institutional cooperation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The strategic importance of Cyprus caused some downturns in the past. Contrary to this, it flourished its culture and literature. The National Library, which functions successfully at the national level, confronts with some problems at the international level. The most significant problem of public libraries established in nine regions in Northern Cyprus is that they do not have a proper library building and function as schools. Although many campaigns are launched for developing school libraries, these initiatives have not accomplished any results. The academic education opportunities in Northern Cyprus have developed university libraries. The biggest problem of Northern Cyprus librarianship is the lack of specialist librarians. The librarians in Northern Cyprus have been under the same roof of Cyprus Turkish Librarians Association since 1982. The Directorate General of Culture has always been a supporter of Cyprus Turkish Librarians Association. The major goal of librarians from Northern Cyprus is to raise awareness about the importance of librarian profession in Northern Cyprus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]