(On campus) study spaces (for people who are physically averse to Brown's libraries)
Do you shudder at the thought of a night spent in the Rock basement? Do you immediately break into a cold sweat every time you walk into the SciLi? Do you become physically ill at even the briefest mention of the Hay?
Then you, like me, may be suffering from Physical Aversion to the Brown Campus Libraries™
If you or a loved one suffers from PABCL, the Blognonian may be able to help you… just call 1(800)BLO-GNON or continue reading for more information.
Sarah Doyle Center for Women and Gender
About halfway through freshman year, it became clear that I was suffering from Physical Aversion to the Brown Campus Libraries™. I didn’t know what to do -- all my friends studied in the Rock (whenever they didn’t intend to actually get work done) or the SciLi (where they hunkered down in the 00 Decibel zone for hours). I would walk into the lobby of the Rock and immediately feel my shoulders tense. Even waiting in that line to swipe in made me anxious. The little glass doors just move so slowly. Campus libraries, I began to theorize, are like purgatories: they are the intermediate state between class and impending midterms. Students float around like ghosts, awaiting judgement and not knowing quite what to do to prepare.
It wasn’t until November that I discovered, right in front of my face, the Sarah Doyle Center for Women and Gender.* Directly across the street from Keeney Quad, where I lived, the Center is a small blue house that welcomed me and truly changed the course of my freshman year. SDC is the coziest place on campus, complete with velvet couches, cookies and tea, and walls lined with old books. The ground floor features an independent collection of books on women, gender, and sexuality, a large living room, and a kitchen/dining room. Upstairs, individual rooms with couches and tables are so comfortable and pleasant, it feels like the old-fashioned librarian’s home you never had.
*SDC is a safe space for students, faculty, and staff to examine issues around gender. Please remember to be self-aware in this space. It is intended as a haven for women and gender-nonconforming people, so if you do not think you are the intended audience for SDC’s services, well, continue reading for more!
You know that one house on Angell Street with the cute garden in front? Did you know that you, even if you are not an ES kid, can in fact go inside? If you didn’t, I’m here to change your life forever. the Urban Environmental Lab is a 100-year old carriage house with passive solar heating and a solar greenhouse and all that environmentally conscious jazz (that all Brown buildings should have by now, really). It has a small kitchen, which sometimes offers free food or coffee and has a nice comfy couch, as well as a homey wooden dining table. If you go upstairs, there is a small nook tucked into a strange shower-shaped closet. If I find you there, I will kick you out and I expect you to respect that.
Rhode Island Hall aka Archaeology Building aka Joukowsky Institute
This is my favorite building on Brown’s campus. I consider it a hidden gem, even though it is on the Main Green. People tend to walk right past it -- the little white building in the corner, next to Slater and across from Freidman. When Leung and the Blue Room are so close, people lose study-space creativity. But trust me, the archaeology building is worth it. It is filled with uncovered archeological treasures and cute interactive posters. The bathrooms upstairs have funny signs, tissues, and tampons/pads -- no luxury tax!! The large windows upstairs let in enough natural light to illuminate the individual desks that line the walls. Small conference nooks are furnished lavender and light green couches. The third floor, which is more like a loft, has a large conference table and a series of desktop computers. Unfortunately, it closes at 5pm and isn’t open on the weekends, but I think it’s good because I always leave wanting more. It’s teasing me, and it makes me love it that much more.
Brown University Bookstore Blue State
Okay, most people know about this one. It’s a little more of a self-plug, because I work at the bookstore and if you come say hi I will be thrilled. Also, this Blue State takes Bear Bucks -- yes, I understand that I am still spending money, but when I use Bear Bucks it doesn’t show up on my monthly budgeting app, OKAY?
Again, not really a hidden study space. Unless, that is, you’re a humanities student, in which case you may never have even entered Barrus and Holley. Despite the uncanny feeling you feel deep in your English major bones, the ERC is actually a great place to study. If you’re in STEM, you’ll be surrounded by people working just as hard as you are, people who understand your struggle. If you’re not in STEM, good for you, you made it inside! You will soon realize that distraction is difficult in this space. It’s not entirely silent, but I do feel uncomfortable talking too loudly, so I actually get work done. Also, they have great coffee -- never tried a honey latte before? Me neither, until I went to the ERC cafe (that I think has a cool name that I can’t remember right now). No less, you can pay with Bear Bucks (see Blue State entry for more information).
I hope this has been helpful. I also hope that these spaces will continue to be the wonderful, comfortable, and respected places they are. Please, please, please don’t make me regret telling you my secrets.
Image via.