Bangkok City Library set to officially open April 28

BANGKOK, April 7 (TNA) -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is inviting the public to test out the system at the Bangkok City Library before its official opening on April 28. Bangkok Governor Pol Gen Aswin Kwanmuang led the BMA executive team and the media to visit and try out the system at the new Bangkok City Library, which is of the nine missions of Bangkok in becoming the Bangkok City of Learning, after the capital has been chosen by UNESCO as the World Book Capital in 2013. The governor said the Bangkok City Library is a stage to help expand learning and to promote reading among youths, as well as help to create a stronger reading culture among the Thai society, instilling systematic though processes. He said this would be a good opportunity for both Thais and foreigners to try out the service system at the library before its official opening on April 28, which would be presided over by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Siridhorn at 9 am. Pol Gen Aswin said that security within the library and its surrounding would be tight, with CCTVs installed at every point inside and outside of the library, where city law enforcement officials and police officers would also be mobilised for around-the-clock surveillance, amid a strict inspection in and out of the library by security guards. There are a total of three floors at library including a a mezzanine, or the M floor which is used to hold children and youth literature, while the first floor is where the information point is located and visitors could borrow or return books there, or enjoy reading magazines and newspaper. The library for people with disabilities is also located on the first floor, along with food stalls and free internet and WiFi service. The second floor holds international literature, general books, references, a research area, and a multi-purpose room. And the third floor is used to store books from neighbouring countries both in Thai and English, as well as rare books, and the most important part, is an archive on His late Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's royal projects and philosophies in nine aspects. The history of how Bangkok was established could also be found on the third floor. Over 40,000 books have been gathered and stored at the Bangkok City Library for the public, where its operation hours are from Tuesdays through Saturdays between 8 am to 9 pm, and Sundays from 9 am to 9 pm. The library is closed every Monday and national holidays. Visitors can enter the library for free, though a annual membership of five baht for children and 10 baht for adults must be paid a book is wished to be borrowed. The library also offers a 2-hour free WiFi service per day for each visitor. (TNA)