Bwog hearts math

Midterms are here, so why not check out a new library? New staff writer Bella Tincher continues our library review series with the Mathematics Library. 

Location: Math Building 303
Hours: Monday- Thursday, 9 am to 11 pm
Friday, 9 am to 7 pm
Saturday, 11 am to 6 pm
Sunday, 11 am to 10 pm
Contact: (212) 854-4712
math@library.columbia.edu
Seats:

• Total: ~80 seats
• Main Floor: 60 seats
• Stacks 1st Floor: 10
• Stacks 2nd Floor: 10
• Computers: 14 seats

Amenities
Printers: 1 PawPrint Printer
Computers: 14 PC computers
Lighting: Fluorescent, but good light come in from Broadway in the morning-midafternoon
Outlets: Only available for private carrels, none for the tables of 4
Bathrooms: Found one floor down, on level 2
Food/Drink: Not allowed
Windows/Views: In the main room, the light streams in nicely and good views of Barnard can be seen; in the stacks it’s a little dark but light does come in during the morning
Books: “The Mathematics Library holdings exceed 37,400 volumes covering algebra, number theory, geometry, topology, statistics, and probability.”
Stacks: Nice and secluded, though the second floor can be a bit scary because you can literally see the first floor through the floorboards

Atmosphere: The library is small and quaint, very good if you’re looking for a quiet place to study without any disturbances from others, especially if your major is math related. The multiple group tables would a allow a couple of friends to do their own separate work but still have the luxury of not being completely alone. The staff is friendly and ready to help you whenever you need them, and the open vibes of the library really hit you when you walk in.

Dating Options: Sorry to break it to you, but out on the main floor it seems that little flirting could be done since it’s so quiet, except for a flirting brush of the hands as you both reach for the stapler tied to the table by the printer. Sadly, it seemed like it was mostly math majors intensely studying for their midterms or working on their senior thesis.

Warning: The no food rule seems to be enforced, especially since the slight aroma of mold fills the air and the library staff are always working nearby because the library is so small. The old food in a coffee cup is definitely not going to work here. Since all the working areas have windows facing the west, expect the sunset to cause quite a distraction from your studies.

Recommendation: The Math Library is a great library for focusing, especially if you really don’t want to bump into any awkward hook-up like you would in Butler, and you really need to be churning out a paper you left to the day before again.

Gallery:

I ♥ Bwog via Peter Valberg