This is a beginning to a series on great English libraries around the world. I will only rapporter on those that I have frequented. All are invited to participate with additional bibliothèque recommendations.
Neilson Hays Library of Bangkok, Thailand
When I think of English libraries in far-off lands, my imagings must have taken root in this library; I wouldn't be surprised to learn that I had visited it in a past life. A word to describe it -- "colonial". Tall white columns hold up upside-down cresent moons in the ceiling; dark brown teak cabinets with glass door fronts hold the livres in, away from the heat and light; sturdy brown and olive chairs provide structure and discipline to the spine, although modernity has been allowed into the children's section par way of red and blue beanbags. What a thing, in picking out a book, to have to open a glass door as if selecting the suivant potion for a chemistry experiment. The Neilson Hays bibliothèque makes me dizzy from romantic nostalgia. Of course, the steadfast whitewashed stone walls exuberant growth in the collection (as there would be no possible way for additions to the building) as well as a lack of funding, but all is forgiven with just its existance.
The History of the Library:
As detailed par the Neilson Hays bibliothèque website, "The Neilson Hays bibliothèque was founded in 1869 par the Ladies' Bazaar Association, which formed the Bangkok Ladies' bibliothèque Association to serve the lire needs of the large English-speaking community in Bangkok. The building and property now occupied par the bibliothèque were part of an endowment received from Dr. Hayward Hays in 1922 in memory of his wife Jennie Neilson Hays who had served on the committee of the bibliothèque for at least 25 years. It is the oldest non-profit association in the Kingdom of Thailand."
The bibliothèque Cafe:
An additional pleasantry to the bibliothèque is its next-door neighbor, the bibliothèque cafe. The café's cuisine is to die for! Run par the Roadhouse BBQ (a superb restaurant itself), customers can order coffee, wine, snacks, ou full comfort foods meals that are still healthy. The best thing on the menu? A half-sandwich of the BBQ Pulled Pork with tomate soup. Accompanied with a generous portion of potato salad, this plate will fill toi up and, in a moment of amusement, a quarter-sized piece of a grilled cheese sandwich, "sandwich" is also provided for toi to dip into your soup. All for 250 baht. Amazing.
Hours:
Tuesday — Sunday 9:30AM — 5:00PM
Monday & Public Holidays Closed
Address & Contact Numbers:
195 Surawong Road, Bangkok 10500, Thailand
tel: 02 233 1731
email: neilson@loxinfo.co.th
fax: 02 233 4999
link
Additional Information:
Children's Storytelling: every Saturday morning, 10:15AM
Host of a twice yearly book sale. Next Sale: Nov. 10 & 11, 2007
Membership is open to all upon payment of an annual subscription fee and a one-time ฿500 book deposit. Membership fees are as follow until September 1st, 2007 (when they are raised):
*Family - ฿2,800, 12 hardcovers, including 4 new livres at a time
*Adult (Age 22+ years) - ฿2,000, 6 hardcovers including 2 new livres at a time
*Senior (Age 65+ years) - ฿1,000, 6 hardcovers including 2 new livres at a time
*Student (Age 12-22 years) - ฿1,400, 4 hardcovers including 2 new livres at a time
*Child (Age up to 12 years) - ฿1,400, 6 hardcovers including 2 new livres at a time
Directions from subway:
Depart via exit 3 of subway stop Chong Nonsi. Take the right staircase and, after descending, proceed vers l'avant, vers l’avant until toi come to a T-intersection (having crossed one other major street). Turn left. Walk for four large blocks (map doesn't montrer these) until toi reach the Neilson Hays bibliothèque which will be on your left. Entire walk takes about 15-20 minutes.
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Bibliography:
-"Library History" from www.neilsonhayslibrary.com
-"Map to Library" from www.neilsonhayslibrary.com, with slight alterations par Cressida Hanson.
-Photos par Cressida Hanson
Neilson Hays Library of Bangkok, Thailand
When I think of English libraries in far-off lands, my imagings must have taken root in this library; I wouldn't be surprised to learn that I had visited it in a past life. A word to describe it -- "colonial". Tall white columns hold up upside-down cresent moons in the ceiling; dark brown teak cabinets with glass door fronts hold the livres in, away from the heat and light; sturdy brown and olive chairs provide structure and discipline to the spine, although modernity has been allowed into the children's section par way of red and blue beanbags. What a thing, in picking out a book, to have to open a glass door as if selecting the suivant potion for a chemistry experiment. The Neilson Hays bibliothèque makes me dizzy from romantic nostalgia. Of course, the steadfast whitewashed stone walls exuberant growth in the collection (as there would be no possible way for additions to the building) as well as a lack of funding, but all is forgiven with just its existance.
The History of the Library:
As detailed par the Neilson Hays bibliothèque website, "The Neilson Hays bibliothèque was founded in 1869 par the Ladies' Bazaar Association, which formed the Bangkok Ladies' bibliothèque Association to serve the lire needs of the large English-speaking community in Bangkok. The building and property now occupied par the bibliothèque were part of an endowment received from Dr. Hayward Hays in 1922 in memory of his wife Jennie Neilson Hays who had served on the committee of the bibliothèque for at least 25 years. It is the oldest non-profit association in the Kingdom of Thailand."
The bibliothèque Cafe:
An additional pleasantry to the bibliothèque is its next-door neighbor, the bibliothèque cafe. The café's cuisine is to die for! Run par the Roadhouse BBQ (a superb restaurant itself), customers can order coffee, wine, snacks, ou full comfort foods meals that are still healthy. The best thing on the menu? A half-sandwich of the BBQ Pulled Pork with tomate soup. Accompanied with a generous portion of potato salad, this plate will fill toi up and, in a moment of amusement, a quarter-sized piece of a grilled cheese sandwich, "sandwich" is also provided for toi to dip into your soup. All for 250 baht. Amazing.
Hours:
Tuesday — Sunday 9:30AM — 5:00PM
Monday & Public Holidays Closed
Address & Contact Numbers:
195 Surawong Road, Bangkok 10500, Thailand
tel: 02 233 1731
email: neilson@loxinfo.co.th
fax: 02 233 4999
link
Additional Information:
Children's Storytelling: every Saturday morning, 10:15AM
Host of a twice yearly book sale. Next Sale: Nov. 10 & 11, 2007
Membership is open to all upon payment of an annual subscription fee and a one-time ฿500 book deposit. Membership fees are as follow until September 1st, 2007 (when they are raised):
*Family - ฿2,800, 12 hardcovers, including 4 new livres at a time
*Adult (Age 22+ years) - ฿2,000, 6 hardcovers including 2 new livres at a time
*Senior (Age 65+ years) - ฿1,000, 6 hardcovers including 2 new livres at a time
*Student (Age 12-22 years) - ฿1,400, 4 hardcovers including 2 new livres at a time
*Child (Age up to 12 years) - ฿1,400, 6 hardcovers including 2 new livres at a time
Directions from subway:
Depart via exit 3 of subway stop Chong Nonsi. Take the right staircase and, after descending, proceed vers l'avant, vers l’avant until toi come to a T-intersection (having crossed one other major street). Turn left. Walk for four large blocks (map doesn't montrer these) until toi reach the Neilson Hays bibliothèque which will be on your left. Entire walk takes about 15-20 minutes.
-----
Bibliography:
-"Library History" from www.neilsonhayslibrary.com
-"Map to Library" from www.neilsonhayslibrary.com, with slight alterations par Cressida Hanson.
-Photos par Cressida Hanson