Atif Efendi Library, Ottoman library in Vefa district, Istanbul, Turkey
The Atif Efendi Library is a two-story building in the Vefa quarter featuring five rooms and two halls, including a hexagonal reading space designed for study. The layout arranges storage areas and reading zones to encourage focused learning and proper care of the collection.
Founded in 1741 by Atif Mustafa Efendi during Sultan Mahmut I's reign, it ranks among the earliest independent libraries of the Ottoman period. Its creation reflects a time when such institutions were rare and valued as centers of learning.
The library's name honors its founder and his commitment to preserving knowledge, a principle still visible in how the collection is maintained today. Visitors can sense the care taken with each manuscript and the role this space has played as a refuge for learning.
Visiting requires respect for the historic manuscripts and printed books that form the core of the collection. It is best to take time exploring the different rooms and observing how each section is organized for preservation.
A marble charter near the entrance outlines specific rules for librarians, including a ban on lending books for copying purposes. This regulation reveals how early libraries guarded their originals and prevented manuscripts from circulating beyond the reading room.
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