Turkish bibliophile builds “Field of Books” – 70,000-volume private legacy
This extraordinary private archive stands as a testament to one man’s unwavering commitment to preserving knowledge – shelf by shelf, volume by volume
KAYSERI, Türkiye (MNTV) – In Turkish province of Kayseri 61-year-old Faruk Yaman has transformed his residence into what may be country’s most extensive private library – a treasure trove of over 70,000 books that chronicles his lifelong devotion to the written word.
Yaman’s bibliophilic journey began in middle school, inspired by his father’s personal library of 10,000 volumes and reinforced by book-loving peers.
Over decades, he meticulously expanded his collection through auctions and antiquarian booksellers, specializing in rare works about Kayseri’s history – some so unique they’re absent from institutional archives.
Every corner of Yaman’s home breathes literature. “My kitchen, living room – all spaces became bookshelves,” he told Anadolu Agency.
The collection, now relocated to a dedicated property, serves as a research hub for academics and historians.
“These books are my eyes and ears,” Yaman reflected. “Visitors say the air carries that distinctive secondhand bookstore aroma – this place is essentially a field of books.”
The library’s reputation has crossed borders, attracting cultural attachés from seven nations.
Yet maintaining this heritage requires vigilant care: Yaman invests 3,000-4,000 TL annually in pest control, particularly crucial for protecting Ottoman-era volumes printed on egg-based paper vulnerable to insects. Sixteen security cameras safeguard the collection.
Known nationwide among antiquarian dealers, Yaman has developed an encyclopedic knowledge of his holdings.
“I’ve read thousands, though not all cover-to-cover,” he admitted. His acquisition criteria are precise: any Kayseri-related work automatically joins the collection.
For Yaman, the true value lies not in possession but in shared discourse. “The greatest joy comes from intellectual exchanges among these stacks,” he said, embodying his belief that books represent not just personal wealth, but civilization’s collective memory.
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