This is a beginning to a series on great English libraries around the world. I will only Сообщить on those that I have frequented. All are invited to participate with additional библиотека 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 Книги in, away from the heat and light; sturdy brown and оливковый, оливковое chairs provide structure and discipline to the spine, although modernity has been allowed into the children's section by 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 Далее potion for a chemistry experiment. The Neilson Hays библиотека 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 by the Neilson Hays библиотека website, "The Neilson Hays библиотека was founded in 1869 by the Ladies' Bazaar Association, which formed the Bangkok Ladies' библиотека Association to serve the Чтение needs of the large English-speaking community in Bangkok. The building and property now occupied by the библиотека 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 библиотека for at least 25 years. It is the oldest non-profit association in the Kingdom of Thailand."
The библиотека Cafe:
An additional pleasantry to the библиотека is its next-door neighbor, the библиотека cafe. The café's cuisine is to die for! Run by the Roadhouse BBQ (a superb restaurant itself), customers can order coffee, wine, snacks, или full comfort foods meals that are still healthy. The best thing on the menu? A half-sandwich of the BBQ Pulled Pork with помидор soup. Accompanied with a generous portion of potato salad, this plate will fill Ты up and, in a moment of amusement, a quarter-sized piece of a grilled cheese сэндвич, бутерброд is also provided for Ты 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 Книги at a time
*Adult (Age 22+ years) - ฿2,000, 6 hardcovers including 2 new Книги at a time
*Senior (Age 65+ years) - ฿1,000, 6 hardcovers including 2 new Книги at a time
*Student (Age 12-22 years) - ฿1,400, 4 hardcovers including 2 new Книги at a time
*Child (Age up to 12 years) - ฿1,400, 6 hardcovers including 2 new Книги at a time
Directions from subway:
Depart via exit 3 of subway stop Chong Nonsi. Take the right staircase and, after descending, proceed вперед until Ты come to a T-intersection (having crossed one other major street). Turn left. Walk for four large blocks (map doesn't Показать these) until Ты reach the Neilson Hays библиотека 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 by Cressida Hanson.
-Photos by 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 Книги in, away from the heat and light; sturdy brown and оливковый, оливковое chairs provide structure and discipline to the spine, although modernity has been allowed into the children's section by 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 Далее potion for a chemistry experiment. The Neilson Hays библиотека 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 by the Neilson Hays библиотека website, "The Neilson Hays библиотека was founded in 1869 by the Ladies' Bazaar Association, which formed the Bangkok Ladies' библиотека Association to serve the Чтение needs of the large English-speaking community in Bangkok. The building and property now occupied by the библиотека 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 библиотека for at least 25 years. It is the oldest non-profit association in the Kingdom of Thailand."
The библиотека Cafe:
An additional pleasantry to the библиотека is its next-door neighbor, the библиотека cafe. The café's cuisine is to die for! Run by the Roadhouse BBQ (a superb restaurant itself), customers can order coffee, wine, snacks, или full comfort foods meals that are still healthy. The best thing on the menu? A half-sandwich of the BBQ Pulled Pork with помидор soup. Accompanied with a generous portion of potato salad, this plate will fill Ты up and, in a moment of amusement, a quarter-sized piece of a grilled cheese сэндвич, бутерброд is also provided for Ты 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 Книги at a time
*Adult (Age 22+ years) - ฿2,000, 6 hardcovers including 2 new Книги at a time
*Senior (Age 65+ years) - ฿1,000, 6 hardcovers including 2 new Книги at a time
*Student (Age 12-22 years) - ฿1,400, 4 hardcovers including 2 new Книги at a time
*Child (Age up to 12 years) - ฿1,400, 6 hardcovers including 2 new Книги at a time
Directions from subway:
Depart via exit 3 of subway stop Chong Nonsi. Take the right staircase and, after descending, proceed вперед until Ты come to a T-intersection (having crossed one other major street). Turn left. Walk for four large blocks (map doesn't Показать these) until Ты reach the Neilson Hays библиотека 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 by Cressida Hanson.
-Photos by Cressida Hanson