The first book was donated by the Köprülü family, and the number of available books continued to increase with further donations and purchases. Of all the donations to the library, those by Köprülü Mehmet Pasha, Fazil Ahmet Pasa, Haci (Hafiz) Ahmet Pasha, and Mehmet Asim Bey wereamong the highest. Its collection contains more than 1,000 booksand approximately 3,000 manuscripts in Turkish, Arabic and English as well as approximately 1,500 printed works. The author, book, and subject lists of manuscripts and printed works are organized according to the Dewey Decimal Classification Method. The Köprülü Library is one of the first examples of an independent library design in Istanbul. It is located in a garden, whose three sides are surrounded by streets and is constructed with alternating stones and bricks. It is covered by a dome placed on an octagonal rim on the outside with a pendentive square plan. The arcade part, which is reached by a four-step staircase in the western section of the library, was moved to the front and has assumed a T-shape.  There is a diamond-shaped head placed on top of six marble pillars, spire arch arcade is covered with four domes. The library is accessed through a low-pitched door in the central axis of the arcade.

The interior is illuminated by windows, with one on each side, two in the upper level, and three each with six upper part windows across the entrance. There are spire discharge arches with rectangular jambs. The interior surface of the dome and pendentives are decorated with over-the-gate pen works. Both “C” and “S” curves are attract visitors’ attention among these brown, black and red ornamentations. Written underneath the flower designs are the word, “Maşallah,” and date, 1181 Hijri (1667-1668). Furthermore, both “Masallah” and the date of 1289 Hijri (1872) and 1327 Hijri (1911) are written on the inner door. Based on these inscriptions, it is understood that the library underwent  restoration in both 1872 and 1911.

Nuruosmaniye Library is a unique example of baroque style. Being composed of two parts, center of the library is covered with a dome carried on four pillars and a corridor of arcade surrounding it. The dome is buttressed with two half-domes. The arcades are covered with mirrored vaults. Total of its 30 windows are supported with plasters which is a major feature of baroque style. There is a basement floor underneath the library. Having a complex plan, one can reach the library through the staircase from the outer courtyard. A basement was built underneath the library against humidity and upper floor is reserved for reading hall and storage. The library has two doors, one of which is humayun [imperial] gate. An epitaph is inscribe on the gate saying “Seek for Ilm[knowledge] from cradle to grave” in Arabic.

When the library first opened, it had total of 18 personnel, which were 1 Nazir-I Kutub, six Hafiz-I Kutub, six Mustahfiz, three Bevvab, one Mucellid-Muzehhib and one Ferras. The charter of the library undersigne by Sultan Osman III is still in Topkapi Palace Museum. Including the books of Sultan Mahmut I and Sultan Osman III and 79 manuscripts of Bayram Pasha, it contains manuscripts. Moreover, library has also a new works collection. The books in the library are organized by the name of author and the title of work; and Dewey Decimal Classification method is in classifying.

Having its resources of revenues and administration determined in the foundational decree, three hafiz-i kutub [book memorizers], one seyh ul-kurra, one suyolcu, one mucellit [binder] and one ferras [cleaner] were employed. Hafiz-i kutubs were required to stay in three lodgings. Besides being on duty five days a week (except for Tuesdays and Fridays), they were also required to lead the congregational prayers as imam or assist as muezzin.

Library building is one of most beautiful examples of Turkic Baroque style, reflecting 18th century Turkish Civil Architectural Art. Conditions of studying and ways of benefiting from library are inscribed on a marble foundation [waqf] charter in the entrance of the library.  The establishment of this library was stated as “…talebe-i ulumun ifade ve istifadesi mülahazasiyle [for the consideration of the expression and benefit of all students]” in this charter. According to the charter, librarians were to be chosen from the aptitude and religious people, perform their own duties and not to pass them onto their assistants or deputies. Handing over of the position to under-aged, who is not at the age of discretion, was strictly prohibited. Taking out no book for istinsah (copying and photocopying) or for benefiting from it even against any warrant or pawn was included in the charter, besides, there is a section that contains full list of Atif Efendi Library – donated by him to the waqf- with complete book records.

There is a small hafiz-i kutub room in the entrance of the library, a small gap, a hexagonal reading hall, a book depot opening to this hall; and underneath the building is the repertory. Being comprised of five rooms and two halls, the library has no sufficient space for proper library service providing. Radiator heated 5 rooms have 42, 18, 10,10, and 5 square meter room sizes in the same order; halls, however, 187 and 132 square meters. Its last restoration was complete in 1992; and, the library’s need for another restoration is a reality. Having 2857 book in its establishment, Atif Efendi Library has expanded its collection over time. There are many manuscripts like several authors calligraphy works, several old book copies, nice binders, ornaments and miniature works and signet albums. The collection of Mehmet Zeki Pakalin is among the collection of the library. Having 3,228 manuscripts and 6,358 printed books in old alphabet; the library’s collection is currently comprised of 25,905 books.

Currently, one library chief, one librarian – a graduate of Library Department under the Literature Faculty of Istanbul University, two security guards and technical personnel, total of five, are on duty. Working in affiliation with Suleymaniye Library, digitalization of the manuscript works in Atif Efendi Library has not been started.

The newer books acquired via purchase or donations were gathered in the New Manuscripts Section. The books in the Sultan Ahmed III Library were moved to the new library in 1966. Among approximately 13,450 manuscripts in the library, there are works and miniature books gathered under non-Islamic Manuscripts Section in Greek, Latin, Armenian, Serbian, Hebrew and Syriac languages, besides Turkish, Persian, and Arabic works.

There are also sample calligraphy works of Ottoman calligraphers, tools related to this art such as reed pen, kalemdar, pen drawer, scissors, pen knife (sharpener), and wooden cases for Qur’an, lecterns, seals and maps. Photocopy services for the printed materials and microfilm, photograph and media services are provided.

Year of Establishment: 1928
Topkapi Palace, Sultanahment
Tel: +90-212-512 04 80
Fax: +90-212-522 44 22
Open days/hours: 09:00 – 17:00hrs (except for Saturdays & Sundays)

In the following years of the establishment of the Government of Turkish Grand National Assembly (23 April 1920) and the declaration of Turkish Republic (29 October 1923), carrying the name of Darulfunun Library, the Library assumed the name of Central Library of Istanbul University with the university reform that took place in 1933. Its first administrator is Hasan Fehmi Ethem Karatay, who was an architect and had his postgraduate education overseas on librarianship.

With the Higher Education Law numbered 2547 and enacted in 1982, it started operating with the name ‘Library and Documentation Administration’, along with other libraries of faculty, department, institute and research centers. In comparison to other university libraries, the automation process is rather late and slow; but, the services it provides to the national and international users in the new and old buildings are big numbers and modern in quality. Technologies of the recent seven years outweigh this modernization process. The catalog system established earlier is still in use.

First nizamname [ordinance] prepared on 8 April 1874 to safeguard the old works, was amended by Osman Hamdi Bey in 1822 in accordance the conditions of those day with the claim for that nizamname privileging the foreigners more; and Sanayi-i Nefise Mektebi was built in 1883, what today is called as Eski Sark Eserleri Muzesi [Old Oriental Works Museum].

Photo by Niyazi Uğur Genca

Continuing its words on enlisting how Muze-i Humayun was mentioned in the laws and regulations of Maarif Nezareti [Ministry of Education], Alpay has also stressed on the structuring of Istanbul Archeology Musem, which is comprised of three museums as above-mentioned, and on the works in them. As we learned from Alpay, a Tablet Archive, which preserves cuneiform writings, and the works of eastern origin nations like Assyria, Babylon, Egypt, Phoenicia, Hebrew and Hittite. The building or Archeology Museum exhibits works of Byzantine and Rome periods, works belonging to Christianity like sarcophagus; portraits and sculptures, medals, seals, coins and coin cabins of Islamic and non-Islamic origins, besides a library. In Cinili Mansion, however, Islamic works are displayed. Along with that, there are manuscripts of Pashas. In other words, the Museum contains very significant and precious works, coming from various regions within the Ottoman Empire, from Balkans to Africa, from Anatolia and Mesopotamia to Arabian Peninsular. Since the period of Sultan Abdulmecid, in the period between 1840 and 1922, including the documents other than the archeological ones, several services of classification, cataloguing, inventory generation and research are made on the original documents of around 150,000 official correspondences; and, The Ottoman

Photo by Niyazi Uğur Genca

Archeological Documents Archive was established under the Directorate of Istanbul Archeology Museums. Drawing attention to the two PhD thesis realized from the archive documents, Alpay also mentions about infrastructural work on the classification and research operations in the Ottoman Archeological Documents Archive of Istanbul Archeology Museums.

After giving information on the history, structuring and reorganization of Istanbul Archeology Museums’ Archive, Alpay expresses the benefit of applying to the authorities for reopening of the archive to the readers and researches, which was closed to them as of 4 January 2005; and, he completed his speech by connecting this issue to the perception of the old works and pointed at the importance of remedying this fault by reopening the archive.

Forming one section of the Istanbul Archeology Museums in Eminonu District of Istanbul, the library, together with the museum building was built by renowned architects of that period and professor of Sanayi-i Nefise Mekteb-i Alisi, the Architect Aleixandre Vallaury. In the new museum building, façade of the antique works were paid special attention. Especially the outer façade was inspired by Aglayan Kadinlar Lahdi [Crying Women Sacrophagous], so it is said. Spacious halls are allocated for display and organization in the museum. Thus, first part of this first genuine museum was opened in 1891 and other parts were opened in 1903 and 1907 with the permission of Sultan Abdulhamit II. Composing one section of the museum and labeled as Imperial Library, the museum library was located next to the Treasure Room in the upper level, on the right side in the entrance of the U-shaped museum building.

Entered into from a huge hall, the library is decorated with wooden works from floor to ceiling as two-story room. The library covers a space of 500sqm, approximately. The major part of the library is composed of the books of Osman Hamdi Bey, which he had provided either by donation or purchase. Ever increasing number of manuscripts and printed works since its opening, it has reached up to very considerable numbers. Having specialized works of scientific, archeological, history of art and history in several languages, the library has gone beyond any speciality library boundaries. Also including archeological works, there are many books that are outside the speciality fields. Besides, there are very significant collections obtained from the donations. Ahmet Cevat Pasha Collection, Mehmet Sakir Pasha Collection, Sultan Mehmet Resat V Collection, Diyarbekirli Sait Pasa Colletions, Recaizade Ekrem Collection, Murtaza Hocazade Hatice Hanim Collection, Zeki Megamiz Collection, Karaman Buyukkaya Collection and H. Turhan Daglioglu Collection are among the major collection that the library is holding at the moment.

Working in the library is subject to special permit to be obtained from the Directorate of Istanbul Archeology Museums.

Over time, the number of books in the Suleymaniye Library increased with the transfers of books from various places with several different reasons. There are 74,000 manuscripts and printed books. It is open 7 days a week between 09:00 – 19:00 and admittance is free.

One of the most important objectives of IRCICA is to establish and develop a reference library based on Islamic culture and society. There is a very rich collection of books on the culture, history, literature and intellectual history of Islamic world. Incunabula and rare artifacts adds up to the value of the collection of the library. Considerably large and exclusive collection is formed with kind domestic and overseas donations of personal collections of Zeki Ali, Oktay Aslanapa, Vedat Eldem, Haydar Bammate, Necmettin Bammate, Ahmet Ates, N.Nurettin Ege, Cevriye-Ibrahim Artuk and Nuri Arlases, who are prominent in their fields respectively. The library has around 70,000 books in 54 languages, 10,000 gray publication, and microfilms of 350 unpublished PhD thesis, 971 atlas, maps and plans, 1,300 periodicals.

Library usage conditions: Library is freely accessible to all interested parties.

http://library.ircica.org

The books of important waqf [foundation] libraries such as Reşid Efendi, Carullah Efendi, Hekimoğlu Ali Paşa and Pertev Paşa Libraries, which had completely unusable buildings from 1924 onwards, were gathered in Millet Library along with the books of Seyhulislam Feyzullah Efendi; but, when Millet Library was transformed to Public Library in 1962, all the books of waqf libraries were transferred to Suleymaniye Library. The library’s collection was transfered to the Simkeshane Building in Laleli, and the Millet Library reassumed its identity and continued to serve the Fatih District of Istanbul as a public library.

Murad Molla, Adile Sultan, Yusuf Paşa, Hekimoğlu Ali Paşa Public Libraries and Ebu Bekir Paşa, Yavuz Selim, Zembilli Ali Efendi Children’s Libraries had served as affiliated sub units of Millet Library, but these libraries were converted  into vakıfs [non-for-profit organizations].

The manuscripts from Murad Molla Public Library were transferred to Suleymaniye Library in 2000 and have been open to public use since..

The library became specialized for research by handing over the new books available in the Millet Library, which serves in affiliation with Libraries and Publications General Directorate of Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey, to Library and Documentation Center of Sakarya University. The library continues to serve under the name “Millet Manuscript Library.”