Where to go when Butler is full, or just too gross to study in

Lounges are packed with study groups. Butler is filled with odors and sights that should never be seen in a library. Bug-eyed, weary students swarm the campus. This is reading week at Columbia. During this period students need a good place to prepare for impending exams. Below are a few such spots.

Mathematics Library

Located on the third floor of the Mathematics building is a small library frequented mostly by science majors and mathematics grad students. The library is quiet and has picturesque outside views. Although no talking is allowed, students in math or other science courses can still collaborate in writing over tough problems. There are cubicles available for students who are easily distracted. There are also open tables for group studies.

This library is generally food-friendly, so those planning to be there for a while can bring in snacks to stimulate their brain activity. Two floors down, four vending machines offer ample sweets. When students are having a hard time finding inspiration or are tired of solving countless problem sets, they can look at how beautiful it is outside and enjoy a snack break.

NoCo
Another great place to escape during reading week is the Science and Engineering Library in the Northwest Corner building. This library is equipped with Apple computers that have large screens and the latest programs. On the second floor of the library there are many cubicles, and the first floor has many separated group study areas, each equipped with a computer screen. Before an econ final exam, for example, students meeting to discuss increasing and decreasing curves can connect their laptops to the larger screen and go over their charts. Some of the choicest spots in NoCo feature natural lighting from Broadway. NoCo also includes the student favorite Joe Coffee. Make sure to get in line early, though—during finals week it is always crowded.

Avery Library
For those easily distracted, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library serves as a quiet, less-crowded alternative to the similarly styled Butler library. Although the library allows no food and drinks only in sealed cups, the basement of Avery has a café with many tables for socializing and having lunch.

Teachers College Library
Placed farther away from the epicenter of reading week madness, Teachers College Library is ideal for both individual and group studies. It includes several brightly lit floors of study areas where students can sit with a comfortable space between each other. Unlike other group study spaces, this library has rooms at the end of each floor that students can rent. Advantages like having quiet, spacious study areas in a green zone—drinks and food are allowed—and views to the outside outweigh the disadvantage of having to walk far to this library.