İstanbul has many libraries containing very valuable records of History and Culture of İslam. Following is a short of specialized manuscript libraries.

ATIF EFENDİ LIBRARY

The Atıf Efendi was the second independent library, after the Köprülü Library, to have been in the Ottoman period. Built by Atıf Mustafa Efendi in 1741 in the district of Vefa, this manuscript library is one of the best examples of 18th century Turkish Baroque architecture. Its collection consists of over 29,900 volumes, including 358 printed books in Ottoman Turkish and 3228 manuscripts (336 in Ottoman Turkish, 2,406 in Arabic and 84 in Persian). The library is subordinate to the Süleymaniye Library.

BAŞBAKANLIK OTTOMAN ARCHIVES

As an imperial centralised state, the bureaucracy of the Ottoman Empire produced a vast amount of state documents, most of which are now located in the Ottoman Archives. The first state documents was moved to the Imperial Treasury and the Inner Court of the Topkapı Palace. It was not until 1845 that any attempt was made to establish what we consider in the modern sense s state archive, when he cataloguing of these documents was begun; 

The Hazine-i Evrak, "treasury of papers" was set up to organise and catalogue these state documents, and a separate building was built to house them. During the Republican period, the Hazine-i Evrak, the Ottoman Archives, was put under the administration of the Prime Minister's office under the direct supervision of the director of the General State Archives. The process of cataloguing this immense collection of state documents continues today by a large number of professionally trained staff of experts. The catalogued documents are accessible to modern scholars, foreign and domestic.

IRCICA LIBRARY

Foundde in 1980, the library is affiliated with the Organization ıf Islamic Conference. The library functions as a reference library for IRCICA, the Research Center for Islamic History, Art and Culture, an organisation which undertakes various activities concerned with the heritage of the Islamic world, including resarch, publishing, and informational services. Located in the historical building of the Seyir Köşk (Pavilion)in the Yıldız Palace, the library holds a collection of works primarily concerned with Islamic history culture, and society. Its collection consists of 400,000 printed books, as well as manuscripts, unpublished doctoral theses, atlases, maps, and periodicals.

İSTANBUL PUBLIC LIBRARY

This library was established in the district of Fatih in the Feyzullah Efendi Medrese in 1911 by Ali Emiri Efendi. Its original collection consists of over 16,000 volumes from Ali Emiri's private colection of rare works. It presently holds 70,000 volumes, 9,000 which are manuscripts in Ottoman Turkish, Arabic and Persian. Among the important items contained in the library, are the calligraphic panels made by Sultan Mahmud III (1808-39) which hang on the walls of the museum section, as well as early periodicals and Arabic newspapers. In 1993 the library became classified as a research library and adopted the Dewey Decimal Classification System.

Calligraphy

İstanbul has long been a center of Islamic calligraphy (hat), an art from given much importance in the Islamic world. Calligraphy is not merely an artistic form of writing but is often an expression of religious feeling through the adornment of the names of God and the verses of the Quran. Calligraphy is displayed on wall plaques, inside domes of mosques and other buildings, on minarets grave stones, and porcelain pieces. Artists of calligraphy are referred to as hattat. Those artists, however, who were responsible for producing the calligraphic Ottoman Sultan's seal (tuğra) and the stylised calligraphic design of the Sultan's signature of official documents were called tuğrakes.

Miniature

The roots of Ottoman miniature production can be found in the Persian traditon of book illustration during back to the Selçuk and Ilkhanid periods, which in turn was greatly influenced by Uygur and Chinese traditions. This art from differs considerably from the classical western painting tradition in that it is two-dimensional and does not take depth perspective in consideration.

During the Ottoman period, İstanbul became the most important center for the production of miniatures, which were produced not in isolation but rather as illustration accompanying historical and literary works. Miniature production was supported by the cort and continued as an important artistic activity until the influence of classical Western painting became predominnat in the eighteenth century, whereupon it lost its originality and importance as an art form.

Miniatures have as much importance as historical documents as they do as works of art, and the most choice examples are displayed in museums.

İSTANBUL UNIVERSITY CENTRAL LIBRARY

Established in 1924 as "İstanbul Darülfunun Merkez Kütüphanesi", this library was the first university library in Turkey. The Yıldız Palace Library collection was added to this librray in 1925. It has since been further enriched with donations ans purchases, and has become a major academic research center. Pursuant to the Depository Law on Printed Materials (1934), on of each of the five copies of all written and printed works published in Turkey and collected by the government is submitted to the librray.  

The library holds over 400,000 volumes of printed books, as well as 30,000 theses and 15,421 perodicals, and sits 800 people. The library has been in its present building near the Beyazıt Square since 1981; its former building now houses the Museum and Rare Books section of this library which contains a total of 18,606 manuscripts (9,943 in Turkish, 6,967 in Arabic, and 1,615 in Persian, 81 in other languages).

KÖPRÜLÜ LIBRARY

The Köprülü Library was the first independent library to be established in the Ottoman period. This librray was built in 1662 by Köprülü Fazıl Ahmed Paşa as an addition to the mosque comples originally built by Köprülü Mehmed Paşa in Çemberlitaş. The original collection which consists of works donated by the Köprülü family has remained relatively stable with around 2775 manuscripts and 1508 printed books. This primarily manuscript librray is subordinated to the Süleymaniye Library. A published three-volume catalogue describing this collection is available.

İSTANBUL ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUMS LIBRARY

The turn-of-the-century library was established as part of the Archaeology Museum in 1903 as an archaeological librray containing works on museums, archaeology, history and fine arts. Housed on the top floor of the Arcaeology Museum, the library's overall collection contains a total of 80,000 volumes, 2,000 of which are manuscripts.

 

LIBRARY OF TOPKAPI PALACE MUSEUM

Founded in 1928, the manuscript library houses a rich collection of 13,450 manuscripts in Ottoman Turkish, Arabic and Persian. There is also a significant collection of miniatures and calligraphic works held in this library. The library provides photocoying and microfilm services. Special permission is needed for Turkish and foreign researchers.

 

NURUOSMANİYE LIBRARY

Part of the complex of the Nuruosmaniye Mosque in Cağaloğlu, this manuscript library constructed in the Baroque style was opened in 1755. It contains collections belonging to Sultan Mahmud I (1730-54) and Sultan Osman III (1754-57). Of its 7600 volumes, 5052 are manuscripts (919 Ottoman Turkish, 3667 Arabic, 466 Persian). It is subordinate to the Süleymaniye Library.

RAGIP PAŞA LIBRARY

This library was founded in 1763 by the Ottoman Primeminister, Koca ragıp Paşa, within the Ragıp Paşa Complex. The library contains 12,605 volumes, 1275 of which are manuscripts (69 Ottoman Turkish, 1165 Arabic, 41 Persian) and more than 10,000 volumes of printed materials. It is subordinate to the Süleymaniye Library.

SÜLEYMANİYE LIBRARY

The building which houses the library of the Süleymaniye Complex was built in 1751 by Köse Mustafa Bahir Paşa. The Süleymaniye Library was founded as a modern librray in 1916. Not only is it the most comprehensive library of manuscripts, it also contains the largest collection of Islamic manuscripts in the world. The library houses 130,325 works, including 67,152 manuscripts in Ottoman Turkish, 

Arabic and Persian, 48,924 printed materials in Ottoman Turkish, 11,914 volumes in modern Turkish, 997 in English, 609 in French, 438 in German and 316 in other languages. It is the first librray in Turkey to provide microfilm and photocopying services, which were begun in 1950, and also provides computer search services.

THE ARCHIVE OF ŞERİYE SİCİLLERİ (JUDICAL RECORDS)

These records consist of decrees and pronouncements made by kadıs, or Muslim judges. These records of 27 İstanbul courts are housed in the archives of the office of the Müfti of Süleymaniye. There are a total of 9,883 records spanning the years from 1483 to 1924.

ATATÜRK MUNICIPAL LIBRARY

This library was originally known as the Revolutionary Museum and Library (Inkilap Müzesi and Kütüphanesi) and established in the medrese of the Bayezid Mosque Complex in 1931. In 1945 it was called the İstanbul Municipal Library (İstanbul Belediye Kütüphanesi). In 1981 the entire library was moved to its present location in Taksim and renamed the Atatürk Library. 

This library contains nearly 200,000 volumes: 24,803 in modern Turkish, 11,903 in Ottoman Turkish, 3,614 manuscripts in Ottoman Turkish, Arabic, and Persian. 14,547 periodicals, 552 annuals (salnames), 320 calendars, 272 maps, and 13 Qurans. There is also a collection of maps, folios of prints, calendars, and postcards in Ottoman Turkish. Exhibitions and conferences are regularly held in the library.

THE AMERICAN INFORMATION AND RESOURCE CENTER ISTANBUL

The American Information and Resource Center is part of the United States Information Service (USIS) in İstanbul. The center provides research and document support to journalists, government officials, non-governmental and ciivl organisations, academics and the business community, on political, cultural, social and economic issues involving the United States of America.

This fully-automated resource center operates with 4,500 reference books, various CD-ROM databases, on-line services, and government documents.

THE LIBRARY OF THE ITALIAN CULTURAL CENTER

This library was founded in 1951 and continues uninterrupted to this day.

The librray contains 11,025 books, 640 video tapes, more than 5000 slides and a rich collection of magazines. Most resources are in Italian but there are also others in French, English and Turkish. Italian history, art and archeology are represented, containing a great resource for researchers.

The collection includes cinema, children's and world classics, jurisprudence, economics, politics, theatre, child development and about 100 further subjects. The collection is now being computerized.

LİBRARY OF THE GERMAN ARCHEOLOGİCAL INSTITUTE

The Institute is founded in 1930, the institute has a scientific librray which is continually increasing its resources.

Books on general subjects are available but the library specialises in the subjects like; Archeology, Byzantine, Ottoman, Travelogues, Modern Turkey, City Planning, Caucasia, Central Asia and Economics.

The library has 300 reader capacity and contains 18,000 books and 525 magazines (150 subcriptions)

THE LİBRARY OF THE NETHERLANDS HİSTORİCAL ARCHAEOLOGİCAL INSTITUTE

The library of the Netherlands Historical and Archaeological Institute was founded in 1958 and has ever since provided information and services to Turkish and foreign scientiests, and also to students of history and archaeology. Its collections have been continuously augmented and presently comprise over 15,000 volumes, which are placed in areas which are directly accesible to the public.

The library consists of a number of sections. The main section contains publications on the archaeology of Turkey, the Balkans and the Middle East, with an emphasis on the earlier, pre-classical periods. The most important excavation reports, specialist studies and archaeological journals for this field of study can be foun in this section of the library which forms a unique collection in itself in İstanbul. The second section comprises books on the history of the Ottoman period, moreover general publications and journals on Islam and the Middle East. Apart from these, the second section has a growing number of publications in Turkish and other languages about the Selçuk Period. A third section comprises a large number of publications on Hititology and concerning the art and architecture of Europe between the 16th and 20 th centuries. The fifth section comprises books on the more recent history of Europe in general and the Netherlands more specifically.

Each year new publications on the above mentioned fields are acquired and lists with recent acquisitions are available free of charge. Most publications are in English, but there are also books published in a.i. Turkish, German and French Though the books can not be borrowed, photocopies can be made against a small payment.

BRITISH COUNCIL LIBRARY

The British Council Library is a source of current information on all aspects of Britain.

There are lending, reference services and also interlibrary loans and document supply services from Britain. The library is well equipped to answer enquiries on all aspects of British expertise and culture. Resources are particularly strong in the areas of:

* Details of British books and periodicals

* Sources of British expertise in most areas of knowledge

* Up-to-date bibliographical information from CD-ROMs and on-line databases.

The British Council Library provides access to extensive collections of books and othet materials in a wide range of subjects. All materials except reference stock can be borrowed by members. The Our collection interests general readers and serves the needs of professionals and university students and holds over. The library's collection has 16,000 books, 1,000 music CDs and casettes, British television material, 1,500 video casettes (feature films, documentaries, music videos, English Language learning kits (books and casettes), 90 current titles of serials, 8 current titles of cd-rom databases

All members have access to the stock of both İstanbul and Ankara British Council Libraries. Books not bin stock can be borrowed from The British Council Library Document Supply Centre (BLDSC). Articles from major journals may also be obtained from the International Photocopy Service of BLDSC. For further details please contact the Library. The library can be used by members only.