Writer: Yavuz İşçen
May 2008

The story of Tahsinağa Library has started during the sultanate of Abdülmecit of Ottoman Empire between 1831 and 1861. In the beginning Tahsinağa, whose name is given to the library today, has been working as a gardener in Ottoman palace. Later on he was promoted to eunuch mission, responsible of the administration of harem region of the palace and finally Tahsinağa has started his position in the library of palace. At that period, Hacı Derviş of Ürgüp, one of his close friends, asked help from Tahsinağa to establish a library in Ürgüp. Tahsinağa has accordingly paraphrased the situation to Abdülmecit and he has approved to send one of two-three copies of manuscript books to the library as it has been established in Ürgüp. But the desire of Sultan was first the library’s being constructed and then to send the books.

The Library established on Temenni Hill
As Hacı Derviş got the promise of the Sultan, he immediately started the construction of the library in Ürgüp. The one roomed building with cupola shaped was constructed in 1855 on today’s Temenni Hill, one of the hills of Ürgüp. The very first books of the library consisted of 817 volumes which were sent by the Sultan from İstanbul loaded over the camels. Hacı Derviş became the first manager of the library and the library was named Tahsinağa Library. On 1914, the library was moved from Temenni Hill to one roomed building next to Karamanoğlu Mosque. Between 1914 and 1936 for 24 years long, it was managed by Kemali Hoca. During Kemali Hoca period, the Library was moved to a building next to Turkish Aeronautical Association (1934).
After 1936, Hasan Efendi and Mahmut Baltacıoğlu, the sons of Kemali Hoca, have taken the duty of managing the Library in turn. Later on Talat Patçı and Şevkiye Aydemir served in the Library. After Şevkiye Aydemir’s leaving her position in the Library, Mustafa Güzelgöz, who became world famous afterwards as “Librarian with Donkey”, took over the managing duty of the Library. 

The Library Retrieves its Building
We know that Mustafa Güzelgöz has shown great efforts to establish a bigger library in Ürgüp. At the end of these efforts, on 1952 the new building of Tahsinağa Library was built up. On 1966 the second floor of the Library was opened to the public with a ceremony. Thus, the Library retrieved its last shape. Today, Tahsinağa Library gives service in the same building at the Centrum of Ürgüp.

Note: This article has been published in Peribacası Cappadocia Culture and Publicity Magazine, May 2008 issue. It is under protection of the copyrights of the magazine. No part of this article may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by electronic, mechanical or other means without prior permission from the owner. www.cappadociaexplorer.com