Look at them studying at the TC library!

Continuing our library series and aided by friendly neighbourhood librarian Alex, Staff Writers Jennifer Nugent and Romane Thomas present their favorite library to the world.

Location: 525 West 120th Street, Teachers College. Accessible library.

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 am to 11 pm. Saturday, 9 am to 8 pm. Sunday, 9 am to 10 pm. During finals and midterms, open until 1 am.

Contact: (212) 678-3494; library.tc.columbia.edu/ask; http://library.tc.columbia.edu

Seats:

• The first floor has 38 Mac computers stations (12 are standing), 6 regular tables that seat 4 people each (no outlets), 4 high tables with outlets that seat 8 people each and 4 treadmill desks. There are 4 group rooms of different sizes, only accessible to students at Teachers College.
• The second floor has about 30 adaptable work stations, a closed children’s space with cushions, 70 overstuffed chairs (with attached trays), a few personal booths, 3 tables that seat two people, 3 long tables that seat 60 students altogether, and a couple of group rooms.
• The third floor is comprised mainly of a dozen tables that seat 6 people each with individual lamps, 10 over-cushioned seats, and 6 group rooms.

Amenities:

• Printers: 2 PawPrint printers (1st floor)
• Scanners: 8 new scanners on 2nd and 3rd floors
• Lighting: Warm incandescent lighting.
• Chairs: The sofas are new and comfortable, all other chairs are high-quality swivel chairs with adjustable height.
• Outlets: Outlets available on all the high tables on first floor and underneath all individual desks.  Outlets near the sofas can be found on the floor. Regular tables are not close to outlets.
• Computers: 38
• Bathrooms: 2 multiple occupancy on each floor, excellent upkeep, usually located at the very back of the library. No gender neutral bathrooms except in the basement.
• Water Fountains: Water fountains on each floor, with generally poor water pressure.
• Food/Drink: All food and drinks allowed on all floors!
• Windows/View: Large windows look out over 120th street or the lovely courtyard/garden. Excellent light and view.
• Group Rooms: TVs with a computer cable, white boards. All you ever need from a group room!
• Talking: Allowed on first floor, encouraged on the second floor, prohibited on third floor
• Smoking: Allowed in the courtyard or in the street.
• Books: Oversized book section, old newspapers, teaching methods texts and children’s books by curriculum (if you need a break).
• Bonus: Everett Coffee Shop makes Starbucks and has lovely employees, great seating and the most amazing parfaits you will ever eat (not open on the weekends). Secret passage to 121st without going outside if you live in GS housing. Find it if you can.

Atmosphere: The first and second floor have mostly the same atmosphere (maybe the 1st is more hardworking, less talk), and the 3rd floor is very Hogwarts-like, with red paint and beautiful windows. Overall, there is a chill atmosphere (see Jason for some cathartic Post-its), and no one will shush you. There are sometimes kids on the second floor (the library is a great place to bring your children while studying)!

Favorite Spot: The tall desks near the treadmills! They have ergonomic chairs that extend high enough for you to relax your legs and a large table to spread your work, they are next to outlets, and they provide easy access to the treadmills if you need to change up your routine (or just want to justify your procrastination, no judgment).

Recommendation: The TC library is a great place to study on a drizzly morning, like the ones we’ve been having lately. The overall vibe is usually less stressed than the undergraduate campus, and the yellow walls and large windows contribute to making the TC library a wonderful place to study without the normal stress and intimidation of Butler.

Gallery: