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