Library Architectures in The Ancient: Examples of Efes Celcus, Pergamon, Alexanderia and Ninova
Libraries have been in a constant state of change in the context of different elements since they were founded. This change can be evaluated in terms of the services provided and sometimes as spatial difference and changes. Libraries, just like other information centers, have been created to meet the information needs of individuals and this main purpose has not changed over time but reflects the period they are in, the society and the construction techniques of the day. Undoubtedly, there is an architectural attraction in physical spaces, allowing ease of access to resources depending on interior architecture. Library usage is in direct proportion to the habits of acquisition of individuals and the wider society. Various researches and studies have been carried out to appraise the structural features of the library’s architecture by evaluating relevant factors. The aim of the study here is to evaluate the libraries of Ephesus Celsus, Pergamon, Alexandria and Nineveh which were remarkable for their period with their architectural structures. For the purpose of this study, the sources in the literature were investigated in detail using the documentary screening method and were evaluated in relevant sections of the study.
Antik Çağ’da Kütüphane Mimarileri: Efes Celcus, Pergamon (Bergama), İskenderiye ve Ninova Örnekleri
Kütüphaneler, kuruldukları günden günümüze kadar farklı unsurlar bağlamında sürekli bir değişim içerisindedir. Bu değişim, bazen sunulan hizmetler yönünden değerlendirilebildiği gibi bazen de mekânsal farklılık ve değişim olarak değerlendirilmektedir. Kütüphaneler tıpkı diğer bilgi merkezleri gibi bulundukları dönem, toplum ve o günün inşa tekniklerine bağlı olarak günümüzde de değişmeyen ana amaç olan bireylerin bilgi gereksinimlerini karşılama amacıyla oluşturulmuşlardır. Kuşkusuz fiziksel mekânlarda mimari olarak çekicilik, iç mimariye bağlı olarak kaynaklara erişim kolaylığı vb. gibi etmenler ile bireylerin ve toplumların kütüphane kullanımları ve alışkanlık edinimleri arasında doğru orantı vardır. Günümüzde, kütüphane mimari yapısının hangi etmenler üzerinden değerlendirilerek inşa edilmesi gerektiğine yönelik yaklaşımlar, araştırmalar ve çeşitli çalışmalar yapılmaktadır. Bu çalışma kapsamında bulundukları döneme mimari yapılarıyla da damga vuran Efes Celsus, Pergamon, İskenderiye ve Ninova Kütüphanelerinin değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bu bağlamda çalışmada, belgesel tarama yöntemi kullanılarak literatürde bulunan kaynaklar ayrıntılı araştırılmış, bu kaynaklar çalışmada ilgili bulunan bölümlerde değerlendirilmiştir.
There are many definitions and approaches in the literature regarding the concept of design. With the most general approaches, design is defined in terms of thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, a trial-and-error process. According to the broadest definition found in the literature, design is a way of visualizing, shaping and/or producing any plan and/or sketch. Thought processes, which are the basis of the design, turn into a design depending on the creative ability of the individuals and the limits of creativity. These products have had an impact on societies from the past to the present. At this point, architectural design is considered a creative cognitive process. Sharing and storing the information produced is one of the basic needs of individuals in every period across history. The process of sharing and storing information, starting with text on papyrus, continues with the information resources available in electronic media today. The main environment that allows this sharing is undoubtedly a library. It should not be forgotten that the basic elements of libraries as an information center are the building’s architecture, budget, staff, and the collection of literature housed within them. The attractive and admirable nature of library buildings is their undoubtedly important factors that affect their usage. Apart from this, designing a new library building and/or the reorganization of an existing building is carried out in the context of various factors. Factors such as functionality, ease of access, high user interaction, safety, and simplicity are important factors to be considered during the design phase. Throughout history, individuals’ thought processes can be clearly traced in the architectural design phase of these buildings; further, the resulting structures also affect the society they are in. It is possible to observe the effects of the culture and period in which they were found, especially in the structures that emerged in the ancient period. However, such structures belonging to the ancient period still carry the traces of the civilization in which they were located. Library buildings in Alexandria, Ephesus Celsus, Nineveh, and Pergamon are among the most important examples. The library of Alexandria was one of the most important architectural structures created, with its unique architecture, it was the largest archive in the world for 300 years and contained 150.000 manuscripts. The Ephesus Celsus library was a magnificent structure built within the borders in Turkey. It hosted approximately 14.000 resources, and it is known that book rolls were kept in niches inside the walls. The Pergamon library rivaled other important libraries of the period with approximately 200.000 manuscripts, both papyrus and parchment codices, and a unique architectural style. The Nineveh library was similar to the Pergamon library. Nineveh was one of the most important structures when evaluated in terms of architectural features, and being the first known library in the world with its collection of approximately 30.000 engraved tablets. These libraries, which served humanity and science for centuries, stand out due to their geographic locations and their role in scientific advancement. There are differences between these libraries in the types of materials that was used to record information and the way they were utilized. They continue to carry the traces of ancient civilizations to the present.
