The Robbins Library of Philosophy is probably the coziest library on the Harvard campus. The tiny library only has two tables, but most of the time the library is relatively empty, making it a great place to study in peace. Don’t just bring in your own books, either – the collection is worth reading as well. You can’t check out any of the books, so you’ll have to read them in the library. But since the room feels less like a university library and more like a professor’s private study room, sticking around is a fun time.
To visit the Wolbach Library, you’ll need to travel away from Harvard Yard and visit the Radcliffe Quad, about a mile away from the main campus. It’s worth the trip – although this astrophysics library is small, it is filled with personality. The upper floor is decorated with plants and planets. The even smaller downstairs level is mostly filled with bookshelves and stacks of boxes. As a fan of secluded cubbies, I loved the self-proclaimed “Quiet Corner” at the far end of the lower level.
The highlight of the library is the free espresso machine by the entrance. Coffee is free for students – I had a cup of espresso with a sugar cube, which was a very pleasant pick-me-up. The espresso machine, candy jar, and well-cared-for plants give the library a very friendly feel. The librarians clearly care about it, and while it isn’t the fanciest, it is unpretentious and cozy. If you’re looking for lots of room to roam, I would go elsewhere. But if you enjoy a unique library off the beaten path, check it out.
Harvard Law School’s library is not a place for casual studying. From the hardwood study cubbies to the shelves of 1000-page treatises, everything about this library encourages focus and intensity. But as long as you’re ready to work, there is a lot of variety in the building’s different rooms. The library’s windowless interior floors offer few distractions. The main reading room is intimidating and spacious, filled with natural light from the enormous windows. For a secluded and often empty study spot, check out the basement stacks. The gloomy basement is not a particularly inspiring location, but it is a good place for quiet studying. During finals, only law students are allowed to enter, but I wouldn’t recommend being in the library during finals season anyway. The stressed-out law students fill every corner of the library and do not enjoy being distracted.
Nick Beachy 