Yale's libraries—not just for bookworms

JULIA TIERNAN/YH Students in Cross Campus Library can spread their work out on tables or study in 'weenie bins,' private study carrels scattered throughout the library.

By Julia Dahl

I remember the day I received the Herald freshman issue. It was about 110 degrees outside and I stood on my asphalt driveway reading it, my feet burning. I devoured every word about midnight streaks, nightlife at Naples, and Saybrugians stripping down to their skivvies at football games. In all my excitement about the prospect of being able to store beer in my very own fridge, I somehow skipped over the article about libraries. At the time, I guess it just didn't seem that important.

Then I got here, and after the freshman meat market turned rancid, I realized that, like it or not, libraries were going to become an intimate part of my life. This, however, is not all bad—Yale boasts some thoroughly cool libraries.

The big kahuna of Yale libraries is undoubtedly Sterling, that huge Gothic-looking thing on the cover of every other Yale brochure. Fourteen stories of nooks and crannies, more commonly referred to as "The Stacks," are perfect if you want to disappear from the world during finals. The problem is that thousands of ancient books to look at pose a major distraction, and thus procrastination tends to ensue. If you prefer to remain in the world of the living, Sterling offers four reading rooms; the Green Room, which reminds me of a library in an old English mansion, is my favorite. Green leather couches, polished oak panelling, and cozy side-rooms are great for reading Chaucer or curling up for a nap. Sterling is currently undergoing reconstructive surgery, so she'll be looking her best for her upcoming tricentennial.

Just under—yes, under—Sterling is Cross Campus Library, more commonly referred to as CCL. My bio major friends swear by CCL's fluorescent lighting and "weenie bins" for finishing problem sets late at night. Rumor has it that weenie bins and Sterling's stacks lend themselves to, uh, relieving tension. I've neither seen nor heard anyone having sex in these places, but that certainly doesn't mean it can't happen. While Sterling closes at midnight, CCL is open until 2 a.m., which makes it ideal for long nights. Just down the hall from CCL is Machine City, more of a sparse cafeteria than a study area. The vending machines that give Machine City its name stock mostly Snapple, soda, bad coffee, soggy sandwiches, ice cream, and candy bars. It's a great place to go when you want to study in a group, or when you're at least pretending to study.

Every residential college has its own library, but some are better than others. My limited survey found that the best two are Davenport's and JE's, with Pierson's running a close third. Davenport's library, like everything else about the college, is aesthetically magnificent. A large fireplace in the middle of the main room overlooks the Monticello-inspired courtyard. The chairs are comfy, and there are a few semi-private side rooms. A friend of mine (a Saybrugian) claims to have written her entire senior essay in Davenport's library. JE's Taft library has a split personality. One side contains cubicles; the other is a spacious area with a fireplace. Both sides overlook the Yale University Art Gallery's sculpture garden, which can be both distracting and inspirational. Pierson's claim to fame is its high cubicles and hidden attic room. It's a hike, but worth it—you're almost always alone.

The Yale Med School's library is my personal favorite, although it's rather far from the center of campus. The distance is sometimes the best motivator because if you've come so far, you might as well stay and study. The Med School library is new and more congenial than CCL. With good lighting, clear-coated wood, and plush chairs, it is a great place to study.

Yale's Law School library is also open to undergrads and very popular among a small group of students. The library is beautiful, but it's a little strange because each law student has his or her own desk adorned with personal objects. Although it's fine to use a desk if the student isn't there, it's a little awkward because you often feel as though you're invading someone else's space. You can stay in the law library all night long if you arrive before midnight.

Like it or not, you'll have to do a lot of hard work once you arrive at Yale. When freshman quads and loud roommates make working in your own room difficult, Yale's libraries are great places to relax and focus on your studies.

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