Bookbinding Office

The Bookbinding Office, operating within the ISAR Library, was established in March 2017 with the aim of restoring rare works that were written during the Ottoman period but have become unreadable over time due to wear and tear. The workshop, which continues its work under the responsibility of Bookbinder Muharrem Kalenci, offers a wide range of restoration services by combining both classical and modern techniques.

The Bookbinding Office not only binds and restores books, but also restores various types of historical documents such as maps, decrees, certificates, and letters. In addition to printed works, manuscripts are also carefully bound and their paper is restored. During these processes, the original structure of the work is preserved by adhering to the materials and techniques of the period.

The restoration of elegant examples of classical Turkish bookbinding is carried out using traditional leather, gold leaf, and marbling techniques, while works with Western-style bindings are restored in accordance with the aesthetic sensibilities of the relevant period and geography. As a restoration center specializing in both Eastern and Western book arts, ISAR Bookbinding Office plays an important role in the preservation of cultural heritage.

The workshop also offers practical learning opportunities for researchers and artists who wish to receive training in this field, thereby contributing to the transfer of the art of bookbinding and restoration to future generations.