this seems like more of a panda than a grizz thing, tbh

Here’s another library review! A lesser-known, quiet study spot at Barnard. For when Butler is too mainstream (read: crowded) for you.

Location: LeFrak Center, Barnard Hall. The library is right in front of you when you walk in, but blocked by a wall. Entrances are to the left or the right along the main hallway’s West wall.

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8:30 am – 12:00 am; Friday, 8:30 am – 6:00 pm; Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm; Sunday, 10 am – 12 am. Study areas are open 24 hours a day starting the first day of reading week.

Contact: (212) 854-3953; library@barnard.edu; https://library.barnard.edu/contact; https://www.facebook.com/barnardlibrary; BarnLib on Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat

Seats:

• Total: 117 Seats
• Tables: 28 Seats
• Study Carrels: 41 Seats
• Audiovisual Booths: 5 Seats
• Computers: 31 Seats (19 of which are in the Instruction Lab, Room 113)
• Stuffed Chairs: 12 Seats (if you count a couch as 2 seats)
• Seats for Talking: 28 Seats (the tables and chairs on the side closer to Broadway)

Amenities:

• Printers: 2 PawPrint-connected HP Laserjet M806’s
• Scanners: 2 flatbed scanners, one in the main library and one in the Instruction Lab, Room 113
• Lighting: Bright florescent tubes high in the ceiling, with an institutional feeling
• Chairs: A variety, befitting the necessarily quick move out of Lehman Hall. Most chairs are very sturdy and well-cushioned, but some are plain wood.
• Outlets: All tables and carrels come with six-outlet power strips (well, power circles).
• Computers: 31, 19 of which are in the Instruction Lab, Room 113. These computers are only accessible when a class is not using them.
• Bathrooms: Female, male, and gender-neutral bathrooms are all available outside of the LeFrak Center. The bathrooms look old and gray, but are completely serviceable.
• Water Fountains: One water fountain at the south side of the library.
• Food/Drink: Food and drink are allowed, but not in the Barnard Archives. BarnLib asks you to keep drinks in closed containers, and keep out aromatic or messy foods.
• Windows/View: The windows, which would look towards the construction site, are covered up with blank quilts. There are no views.
• Smoking: Smoking is not permitted on Barnard’s campus – you’ll have to step out onto Broadway.
• Books: A lot of space is taken up by offices and their white walls, but there are plenty of zines to keep you company!
• Bonus: You get to be near Barnard’s superstar librarians who handle BarnLib’s various social media outlets. Also, there are free earplugs.

Atmosphere: This place seems like a piecemeal library. Part of the floor hasn’t been carpeted over, belying the LeFrak Center’s past life as a gym, and the half-walled librarian offices show that the LeFrak Center is not a single-purpose study space. The bright lights against the white walls make for one hell of a wake-up slap if you’re trying to study late at night. That all said, the zines are great, and the librarians are famous for being friendly.

Favorite Spot: The desks on the South side of the library have a nice view of the old gym hardwood, and are strategically placed next to a lonely floor lamp.

Recommendation: If you want a quiet place to study without straying too far from The Quad or Claremont, BarnLib is your place. (For a more open quiet study space with some loud footsteps, consider Altschul.) If you want to collaborate, you might be better off going to the Diana Center, unless you’re very easily distracted.

Gallery:

A really neat bear via The BarnLib Twitter