Historical building of Istanbul's Kadıköy becomes library

ISTANBUL - Anadolu Agency

Şehremanet building in the Istanbul district of Kadıköy is set to become a library after the restoration process.

The historical Şehremanet building in the Istanbul district of Kadıköy is set to become a library, after having served as a municipality building for a very long time.

Kadıköy mayor Selami Öztürk has issued a written statement that the building, constructed in 1914, is one of the most important buildings in the area.

“We aim to protect the building with its historical characteristics and will make an art, history and literature library,” Öztürk said. “This will not be an ordinary public library. Its focus will be on arts and history.”

Noting that they were taking advice from artists, writers and historians on how to build this library, he said they were also writing for the book grants to the library.

The idea of converting the building into a city library was first discussed in 2010 and 2011. Preparations were made and a plan was subsequently drawn up, with work beginning around a month ago. “We aim to open the library in January 2014. After opening, the books and documents will continue to come,” Öztürk said.

Collecting books is a never ending process, he said, adding that the library would hold manuscripts, research books, letters and documents. When the work is completed, researchers will be able to use the library to access rare books.

He also said there would be an exclusive part in the library that would cover the artists and writers of Kadıköy, adding that a team was currently conducting archive research on the writers and artists of the district to this end.