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