For such a small campus Colby has an amazing number places to study. Every person has their own favorite, for some people it’s their dorm room or dorm lounge, some people choose the spa or a classroom. But, for me I haven’t had to go further than the libraries to find places to suit all my studying needs. It’s good to remember there are actually three libraries on campus, and each has its own personality and comes with its own benefits and downsides.
Miller is the main library on campus and also the biggest. It seems like Miller has a way to please almost everyone. The first floor, second floor, third floor, basement, street, and group study rooms offer different amounts of quiet and unique set-ups of study spaces. Miller is great for people watching and for meeting up with friends to study in groups or socially do homework. Miller is also open later than the other libraries and the street is always open so its great for late night work if you can’t get it done in your dorm. But, because of the atmosphere that Miller creates its often hard to focus and get work done, even on the higher floors when the option of procrastination is only just a few steps down. Miller is a great place to go when you want to relax and do work with friends, but if you have a lot of work to do or you are looking for another ambiance its worthwhile to check out the other libraries.
Bixler is the art library on campus. The shelves aren’t necessarily filled with books that everyone would need to check out, but the study space still has many things to offer. One nice thing is that the windows in Bixler allow for light to stream in and make the study space feel very uplifting; also it’s harder to fall asleep! Bixler is a little bit of a hidden treasure so its sometimes easier to find a table there than the other libraries. The noise level is Bixler is similar to that on the second floor on Miller, so it’s an okay place to go with friends while still being encouraged to do actual work. One downside about Bixler is it not as close to the center of campus, so it’s a bit of a trek to get there, but that doesn’t mean its not worth it.
Olin is the science library on campus. But, I don’t take any science classes and still love Olin. To enter Olin you have to pass through an assortment of large potted plants, which makes it feel like you’re passing through a forest on your way to your own removed study area. Inside the library is pretty quiet just like Bixler. There are both large study carrels and tables for group work as well as group study rooms and a basement with less charm, but more tables. There are also always puzzles inside to play with if you need a study break, and an array of armchairs to curl up in if you get sick of sitting at the desks. Outside the main library there are more couches and chairs that are great places to do group work since you don’t have to be so quiet. A downside to Olin is that it is far away from most dorms. Also, for some reason people always save tables in Olin more than the other libraries so you have to get lucky or wake up early to get a table in Olin.
If you like working in a library, remember that every library has something to offer, and in the end it’s really just about finding the one that works for you. Some great things about Colby are its libraries, and they provide much more than the books they offer.