Menu

As part of Library Week events, the conference titled “Books, Libraries, and Manuscript Libraries,” held at Necmettin Erbakan University, was conducted with a presentation by Hasan Yaşar, Director of the Konya Regional Manuscript Library.

The conference titled “Books, Libraries, and Manuscript Libraries,” hosted by the Faculty of Social and Human Sciences at Necmettin Erbakan University, provided a comprehensive platform for significant discussions ranging from the preservation of manuscripts to their integration into academic research. Hasan Yaşar, Director of the Konya Regional Manuscript Library, offered participants valuable insights into the intersection of traditional librarianship and modern scholarship. Manuscripts: Title Deeds of Civilization Emphasizing the central theme of the conference, Hasan Yaşar highlighted the critical importance of preserving manuscript works, underlining that these artifacts are not merely remnants of the past but intellectual title deeds of the Turkish-Islamic civilization. While presenting the activities carried out within the Konya Regional Manuscript Library, he drew attention to several technical aspects: Restoration and Conservation: The revival of deteriorated paper and bindings through methods faithful to their original structure, carried out in specialized laboratories often referred to as “book hospitals.” Digital Archiving and Accessibility: The creation of high-resolution digital copies to prevent physical deterioration, alongside efforts to make these materials accessible to researchers worldwide. Cataloguing Practices: The crucial role of accurate bibliographic identification in ensuring the usability of manuscripts within the scholarly community. “Living Sources of Scholarship” In his opening address, Prof. Dr. Mehmet Yastı emphasized the academic foundation of the conference, asserting that manuscript libraries should not be perceived as mere repositories but rather as dynamic, living laboratories. He further noted that these primary sources constitute the essential basis for research, particularly in the field of Turkish Language and Literature. Institutional Collaboration and Future Vision In the closing session, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Akkuş, Director of the International Rumi Center for Application and Research, announced plans to strengthen institutional collaborations between universities and manuscript libraries. He stressed that introducing younger generations and graduate students to these materials at earlier stages would significantly enhance the quality of social sciences research in Türkiye. The event concluded with the presentation of a commemorative plaque to Hasan Yaşar, Director of the Konya Regional Manuscript Library, in recognition of his valuable scholarly contributions and insightful participation in the program.