You can find the link to the IFEA library catalog on Yordam here.
A bit of history
- Multidisciplinary documentation in the humanities and social sciences in French, Turkish, and English (see the catalog).
- Fundraising for the restoration of our old books and maps.
- Specialized collections (Travelers, H. Tayla, J.-P. Thieck, S. Yerasimos, Istanbul Urban Observatory) available for consultation upon request.
Contact for information and to make an appointment: bibliotheque@ifea-istanbul.net
The IFEA library, established in 1931, houses diverse collections totaling over 50,000 items, including 700 periodicals. These collections were built up gradually through acquisitions requested by the Institute’s directors and researchers from renowned booksellers and publishers such as Klincksieck and De Boccard, as well as through numerous donations, including those from Jean-Pierre Thieck and Stéphane Yerasimos. The library holds a significant collection of works on the archaeology of Asia Minor, and since the 1970s, under the leadership of director Henri Metzger, on the history of the Ottoman Empire and contemporary Turkey. The library also boasts a substantial collection of works on Byzantine and Balkan studies, as well as Turkish art and architecture. In the early 1990s, a number of volumes scattered throughout the library were brought together under a new call number, ‘AOC’ (Observatoire d’Asie centrale – Central Asia Observatory). It was during this same period that the library established an exchange program with various institutions and universities. Thanks to its duplicates, but especially thanks to its own publications, the IFEA has a privileged means of acquiring new volumes. Book exchanges take place with Turkey, as well as with Europe, Africa, the United States, Yemen, and, since the early 2010s, with China and Japan.
The library also boasts a rich collection of travel narratives, comprising 300 titles, some dating back to the 18th century, and numerous tourist guides, which are a valuable source for understanding Turkey and Istanbul throughout the 20th century. Finally, the library has a cartography room containing old plans and maps of the city, as well as numerous books (approximately 1,500) on Istanbul and other Turkish cities.
In 1986, it acquired compact shelving, which significantly increased its storage capacity. This new compact shelving unit houses approximately 700 journals and 10,000 individual issues.
In the early 2000s, the library began its computerization. It became possible to consult the catalog from workstations located outside the building.
In 2013, the ceilings of the former “Caucasus and Central Asia” collection room were restored, and the Compactus Room, which had suffered from various leaks, was finally repaired. The terrace above was also made more watertight and presentable. For added enjoyment, it was even artfully planted with greenery, following the advice of a knowledgeable researcher.
Today, the library is divided into nine rooms and is open to the public Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Each month, a researcher from the Institute presents a thematic or geographical display related to their own research. In 2014, the IFEA launched a sponsorship campaign to preserve its heritage as an institution and to restore precious old documents held in its library.
In addition to the library, the IFEA houses another collection of documents (digital and print) linked to the Istanbul Urban Observatory.
Our partner Biblopera:
