When Nalin Vanasin, a 43-year-old entrepreneur and mother of two, volunteered to work for Neilson Hays Library, she remembered seeing many eyebrows raised. A few of her friends even asked whether people still go to the library. Such a condescending attitude is somehow understandable. In our digital world, physical books are going out of date. Libraries, known as the fortresses of intellectuals for over two millennia, have become relics of the past.
But Neilson Hays Library, a 95-year-old institution on Surawong Road, is a real charmer. Nalin fell in love with the Western, neoclassical style of the building, which was designed by Mario Tamagno -- an Italian architect commissioned by kings Rama V and VI to design royal palaces and other landmarks. Neilson Hays Library was created as a memory of love -- love of reading and love of romance. It was commissioned by Thomas Heyward Hays, a Presbyterian medical doctor, in dedication to his wife Jennie Neilson Hays. Neilson Hays had been the active president of Bangkok Ladies' Library Association, established by 13 female expats in 1869. She remained in the position for two decades until she suddenly died from cholera in 1920 and left a substantial sum to the association.
The library will celebrate its centennial in the next few years. Neilson Hays Library has become more than a national treasure, it is living heritage that is still relevant. In a city where vintage buildings have disappeared to be replaced by new commercial buildings (sometimes replicas of the vintage style!), Neilson Hays Library has faithfully kept its doors open to the public. The only minor hiccup came during World War II, when the invading Japanese army occupied the library for almost a year.
The Western neoclassical style of architecture was designed by the late Italian architect Mario Tamagno, who also designed Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall and Hua Lamphong Train Station.
The historical building is not just a feast for the eyes; its design and construction work are testament to the designer's attention to detail and pragmatism. Tamagno, billed as "Siam's Chief Architect", made sure the building could withstand the test of time and handle enemies of the library -- such as humidity, floods and insects. Known for building occidental architecture that could withstand oriental tropical heat, the architect specially created a long shaft between bookcases and walls around the library to encourage air ventilation, which helps reduce humidity and prevents books from being invaded by insects. Small holes were made at the back of bookcases to ward off humidity. Surawong was flood-prone in the past, thus the architect chose to build a watertight hull, known as a "cassion", to shore up the structure and help the building cope with Bangkok's ground subsidence.
"What is even more amazing about this 95-year-old private library is that the independent non-profit organisation has maintained its relevance with such limited resources -- it's run by five full-time staff, 12 board volunteers, plus other regular and ad hoc volunteers with an annual budget of 3 million baht," says Nalin, who became the new president of the board last year. "As president, I just want to see the library become stronger and sustainable."
Holes were intentionally created behind book cases to reduce tropical humidity that will harm paper.
Nalin represents a new breed of volunteer. In the past, volunteers were often religious Samaritans, if not social workers or retirees. But today, these jit arsa (a local term for volunteers) are diverse in their backgrounds. Some are just ordinary people, others are celebrities or even DJs, while many are executives and career hotshots like Nalin.
No matter where they come from, they seem to share a few similar traits, such as wanting to give back to society.
"I have been so lucky, with access to good education and a reasonably comfortable life without struggles so far," she tells Muse. "So as long as I can afford the time to volunteer, the library is an opportunity for me to return something back to society. Not to mention the fact that I love books and that I'm in love with this building."
The Western neoclassical style of architecture was designed by the late Italian architect Mario Tamagno, who also designed Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall and Hua Lamphong Train Station.
Apart from good Samaritans, modern-day volunteers reflect the tectonic shift in modern careers.
"We now have more people who are self-employed, either freelancers or small business owners, who have flexibility in their schedules. I have seen more people devote their time to volunteering. The enterprising spirit that we see in the modern economy today also extends to civic activism, which I think is very exciting right now."
Many skills Nalin acquired from the business world have been useful for library work.
"I have been able to apply financial analysis to inform the strategic planning of the library's future; team-building lessons from my previous jobs to motivate the people involved; and general management skills to hopefully continue to improve the library's services," says Nalin, who was an equities researcher with UBS, worked on brand management with Unilever, set up TRIA Integrative Wellness at Piyavate Hospital and runs freelance corporate training. Currently, she also runs Quince - Eatery & Bar with her business partners, and a wine import business, Wine Garage, with her husband.
To make sure the building can deal with ground subsidence, a watertight hull known as a 'cassion' is created to shore up the structure and help the building cope.
On first sight, this library is relatively small. Yet any changes that take place with this historic building often draw comments. The board of the library is known for its ability to modernise and to brave criticism, as much as their love for reading. Modernisation often triggers criticism by some traditionalists, such as the time critics lamented the library would lose its "old charm" when air conditioning was installed almost two decades ago.
This current board will continue to make a big splash. From March to August, the library will be temporarily closed -- for the first time since World War II -- for major renovations. Nalin insists the facelift will only deal with wear-and-tear parts such as floors, roofs and underground structures to prevent ground subsidence. The renovation will not tamper with its legendary architectural design, and book borrowing services will be moved to the adjacent café during the six months.
However, interior space rearrangements will be made. The signature book check-in counter will be moved sideways to provide a larger space for commercial functions. Old arch-partitions in the original design will return to compartmentalise the air-conditioned room, in order to bring down the hefty electricity bill.
The Western neoclassical style of architecture was designed by the late Italian architect Mario Tamagno, who also designed Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall and Hua Lamphong Train Station.
"Critics question why the library seems to court the commercial sector by renting our space out for product launches and weddings. The reason is to ensure the long-term viability of the library. To preserve this historic building, we need to maintain its financial health. Revenue from rental space supports a third of the library's budget, so it is an important supplement to our membership revenue and other fundraising activities."
Changes are not only felt at the physical level. During the past few years, the library has offered various activities to the community. There have been art exhibitions, jazz shows, book talks and book readings in order to attract a larger membership base. The new activities proved to be a magnet. The board has seen a rise in Thai members -- most of them parents.
Nalin believes the library could not have survived without branching out to other activities.
"If you look around the world, you will see libraries reinventing themselves. While books will continue to play an important role, libraries are broadening their scope and becoming cultural and community centres by offering talks, concerts, career counselling, etc. Neilson Hays Library has in the same vein expanded our mission to be a small centre for intimate cultural activities, which we believe Bangkok still craves more of. Equally important, though, is the sense of connection that people get when coming to our library, and that will be the thing that keeps us relevant."
No matter how digitised the world becomes, humans remain the same creatures who crave the comfort of something tangible.
"There's no question that we will continue to consume more and more content produced for digital media. But reading a book can take you to places that listicles cannot. Novels teach empathy in ways that news can't. As for e-readers, they certainly serve a purpose, but I believe there will always be a place for tactile, paper books. As such, a library will continue to be a sanctuary for the body and the soul. I hope I'm not wrong!"
