The Neilson Hays Library on Surawong Road has become a much-loved Bangkok institution since its foundation in 1869. It was designed by Italian architect Mario Tamagno and dedicated to the memory of Jennie Neilson Hays. The elegant neoclassical building houses some 20,000 books and magazines across many genres, the largest collection of English-language books in Thailand.
Photo: Christian Hogue
The library is run by a small team of staff, supported by a volunteer Library Association Board and a hard-working team of volunteers (Friends of the Neilson Hays Library). Guru spoke to the library's president, Nalin Vanasin, about the recent completion of extensive renovations and fostering a passion for books and reading.
Tell us about the all-new Neilson Hays Library. What renovations were done and how was the old architecture preserved?
The old architecture is intact, as the works focused on repairing damages and putting in place systems to prevent further damages from flooding, water leakages, and humidity. The Neilson Hays Library was in dire need of restoration due to concerns over the risk of further and irreparable structural damage after another rainy season. The poor drainage combined with the increased flooding in Bangkok have severely deteriorated the state of the walls and floor structures of the library building.
Surveys by the restoration architects showed that the library was sitting in a pool of water, likely due to rising water tables, and the fact that surrounding roads and properties have raised their ground levels, thus turning the library grounds into a slight depression. This resulted in standing water and moisture seeping into the building from underneath, damaging the floor structures, floorboards and walls, threatening the 100-year-old bookshelves.
Photos: Steve Lim
The drainage system that was part of the building design had also been compromised over time due to an incomplete understanding of maintenance requirements of the original designs, the drawings of which have disappeared some 70 years ago. Additionally, roads that were built by the government in more recent years have elevated the ground level around the library, further straining the initial drains and waterways around the library grounds, and putting a strain on the flood prevention systems in place within the library compound.
Most of the damage found at the beginning of the project was due to a build-up of water under and in the walls of the building. As such, many of this project's conservation elements have been designed to prevent future build-up of water under and in the building foundation, as well as protecting the structure against excessive water run-off from surrounding areas. In this sense, the aim of the project is not only to fix damage but to prevent future damage as much as possible.
What is the NHL Book Club? How does it work?
The book club meets once a month, usually, on the last Thursday of each month. The month prior, members select together the theme or author for the following meeting. For example, we have done sessions on Amitav Ghosh, Peter Carey, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Joyce Carol Oates and John le Carre. Some of the past themes, on the other hand, include Cambodian non-fiction, nature writing and Japan noir.
The book club is open to both members and the public and it is free. The discussions are in turn lively and academic, and it suits readers of all sensibilities.
What is the NHL Young Writers Awards? How do you choose the judges and what criteria is the work judged on?
The judges are chosen for their experience in writing and illustrating, with the aim of forming a panel that spans a broad range of creative and literary perspectives. For example: Asst Prof Onchuma Yuthavong is not only a writer but also a professor of drama. Kathy MacLeod is a cartoonist who represents the millennial generation, while Ngarmpun Vejjajiva is a winner of the venerable S.E.A. Write Award, and Gee Svasti Thomson is an illustrator and a children's-book writer.
The works are judged on five criteria: voice; plot/theme; character; language; and illustration (or intangible 'magic' for the short story). All submissions are read in the first round of judging, during which three finalists per category are selected.
Finalists are then invited to a workshop with the judges and other professionals, where the students and coaches discuss and critique the works in this final round. Then the students have the opportunity to go back and revise their works, whose final versions are submitted for the final judging.
What does the NHL do with all the books that are donated to it, apart from the sales?
First, we go through all donated books to see if any fit the library's needs. If so, we will enter them into our collection. Otherwise, we put them up for sale at the biannual book sales, which are very important sources of funding for the library. Any leftover books are then sold to second-hand book dealers.
What events have been planned for this year?
We plan to resume our musical and art activities, which have been suspended due to the restorations. We also plan to launch new initiatives, including:
a) A new outreach programme in the form of storytelling for underprivileged groups in Bangkok.
b) A new lecture series called 'Conversations at Neilson Hays Library' to offer the public access to the experience and wisdom of artists, scholars, activists, dignitaries and other cultural icons, and to create a platform for intellectual discussions about current events, the arts and sciences.
c) A free coding workshop for children under the CoderDojo programme.
d) We are also in early discussions with many potential international collaborators and supporters on several exciting performances for this year.
The NHL is the oldest non-profit organisation in Thailand, how can the public help?
The public can always help with making financial contributions to aid in the upkeep of the historic building, and to help fund our operations, such as book-buying and staff costs.
But above all, what we want from the public is engagement. We love it when people volunteer for our activities and projects. If you have a good idea, you could even create a new project to lead at our library.
Of course, engagement also comes in the form of the public taking an interest in our programming, attending events and joining in on discussions on art and culture. Our aim is to be a community centre where everyone in Bangkok feels a connection; a place that belongs to the people of this city.
