Ziya Bey Manuscript Works Library

Ziya Bey Manuscript Works Library is a specialized library located in the center of Sivas, established to preserve, digitize, and provide access to manuscript works for researchers. It was founded in 1908 by Yusuf Ziya Başara. Today, it operates under the umbrella of the Directorate General of Manuscript Works of Türkiye, affiliated with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

^{Ziya Bey Yazma Eserler Kütüphanesi (}Türkiye Kültür Portalı⁾

The library was constructed in 1908 by Mütevellioğlu Yusuf Ziya Başara, a prominent figure from Sivas. Yusuf Ziya Bey funded the construction using income generated from his shares in Tuzla. Construction, which began in 1906, was completed within approximately 1.5 to 2 years. The building, originally housing around 3,000 books, was designed as a private and independent library.

Until his death in 1943, Yusuf Ziya Bey personally covered all expenses of the library. After his death, management of the library was transferred to his eldest son in accordance with his will. Operating expenses were sustained through rental income from six shops located on the ground floor, and staff were employed to ensure continued operations.

^{Ziya Bey Yazma Eserler Kütüphanesi (}Türkiye Kültür Portalı⁾

On 13 March 1978, the building was transferred to the General Directorate of Libraries and Publications under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. It was nationalized on 7 April 1980. Between 1981 and 1983, the library building was restored; the ground floor was converted into a Fine Arts Gallery and the upper floor into a specialized library. It was officially opened to the public on 16 April 1985 after completion of technical upgrades. In 2005–2006, the Sivas Provincial Administration carried out additional maintenance and repairs.

The library building is an example of late Ottoman architecture reflecting Westernization movements in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Durable cut stone was used to withstand both cold and hot climatic conditions. The library is one of the few private buildings in Türkiye constructed specifically as a library.

Yusuf Ziya Bey was born in Sivas in 1284 AH (1869). His father was Mütevellioğlu Mahmut Efendi and his mother was Rukiye Hanım. He received education at the Mekteb-i İbtidai, Rüştiye, and Medrese levels. After completing the Rüştiye, he served at the Sivas Mektubi Kalemi and held various public offices including secretary, acting district governor, and directorships in National Education and Waqfs.

^{Yusuf Ziya Başara (}Türkiye Yazma Eserler Kurumu Başkanlığı⁾

In 1902, he was awarded a medal for his contributions to the Hejaz Railway fundraising campaign and served on the Hamidiye-Hejaz Railway Commission. He was a member of the Ottoman Chamber of Deputies and served seven terms as a deputy in the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye. He died on 19 July 1943 at the age of 80 from pneumonia.

The collections of the Ziya Bey Manuscript Works Library are as follows:

• Manuscript works: 1,643 items
• Printed works: 18,115 items
• Non-book materials: 143 items
• Total number of items: 19,901

All manuscript works have been digitized and made accessible to researchers. Digitization of printed works is still ongoing.

^{169 Yazma Eserin Başkanlığa Devredilmesi (}Türkiye Yazma Eserler Kurumu Başkanlığı⁾

Under a protocol signed in 2019 between Cumhuriyet University and the Directorate General of Manuscript Works of Türkiye, 169 manuscript works from the university’s libraries were transferred to the Ziya Bey Manuscript Works Library.

The transfer ceremony took place at the Faculty of Theology Library of Cumhuriyet University. University and institutional officials attended the event. Speeches emphasized that the manuscripts had returned to their original home and would become universally accessible after digitization.

The Ziya Bey Manuscript Works Library operates under the Directorate General of Manuscript Works of Türkiye and carries out activities in various fields, primarily digitization, preservation, and researcher access. The library is an important specialized institution for manuscript preservation at both local and national levels.