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    Mugar Memorial Library

    3.7 (11 reviews)

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    5th floor cubicles
    Alix R.

    It's an old, quaint building that has it's unique sense of charm. There is a bunch of study areas for all sorts of studiers. There's the PAL Study Lounge on the third floor where students usually collaborate and get kind of loud. There are long tables, cubicles, couches, "cages" (which confuse me, but okay, if that helps you study) if you go farther up. They also have computers scattered all over the place for students to use. You gotta love it! During finals period, the library is open 24 hours. BE CAREFUL THOUGH because it can get mad crowded and smelly... only because people stay there for long periods of time without showering and such.

    Andi P.

    Mugar is no longer the complete hellhole that Drew S. described. This is attributable in part to the fact that its interior has been dramatically revamped in recent years. This revamping included the installation of 189 energy-saving Thin Client computers located on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd floors--floors that have in turn been recarpeted. Those improvements mean that I haven't had a problem finding an open computer when I've needed one--nor is the new carpet so ugly that it inspires me to invoke the inexpressibility topos in a futile attempt to describe nausea-inducing colors. It's a damn good thing too, because the lighting has been improved--all the better to see things with. Whatever one may think of the improved functionality and improved user-friendliness of the interior spaces, for better or worse the exterior is and always has been architecturally significant--a possibly dubious distinction when we are talking about US buildings dating to the (19)60s. It's no secret that architectural significance in said context often implies that anyone who is not an architect is going to want the thing razed. In this case, "the thing" is a triumvirate of buildings: along with the George Sherman Union and the 18-story Law Tower, Mugar makes up Jose Lluis Sert's architectural cluster along this side of the Charles (look across to Cambridge and you might be able to glimpse Harvard's Peabody Terrace, likely Sert's masterpiece). People speak of these "Brutalist" buildings with as much vitriol as Mayor Menino launches at the Corbusian-inspired City Hall and I.M. Pei's adjacent plaza. My recommendation for how to cope with having to look at these buildings if you are among the haters: drink more liquor at the BU Pub a mere block or so away. Leave sobriety to the architecture students who see such buildings as pilgrimage sites (and who, when drunk, observe that Sert's concrete facades quote the modern gothic of the surrounding campus buildings in all sorts of subtle and possibly unexpected ways--the man was brilliant at this sort of incorporation when he wanted to be). If, however, these buildings really don't do it for you and you want a more generally palatable version of 60s library architecture, check out Louis Kahn's Exeter Academy masterwork. More recent antidotes: ABA and Rawn's gorgeous and glassy renovation of Brunt and Howe's 1887 Romanesque Revival Cambridge Public Library; and Pei's JFK Library and Museum. Speaking again of drinks (as always), visitors to Mugar are in fact allowed to take drinks in, as long as the drinks are in enclosed containers--so drink away. Where Drew S.'s review still holds true is in its observations regarding the printing system wherein with each document you print, an extra cover sheet is stapled on--it is a total waste of paper. WTF? Additionally, the book selection really is not the most impressive in the land, although from time to time I do find a book in the BU system that doesn't exist in Harvard's and/or the BPL's. Last but not least, the library's upper floors are rather dreary (all the cages for doctoral students really don't help matters), but it's not like the subterranean stacks at Widener are any less so, and it's not like visitors are even allowed into the stacks of the BPL research library (McKim thought readers should instead be able to request and then wait for their books in more majestic spaces--but browsing has its merits). All of this is to say that if you happen to be a BU student, the library system will not be your downfall. (Caveat: unless you're on a crapload of Effexor, avoid spending too many hours at a time in the 5th floor stacks. Doing otherwise could very well land you in Circle 7, Ring 2.)

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    1 year ago

    A great university library. I wish it was 24/7 outside of just finals week but what can you do

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    Boston Public Library - Exterior

    Boston Public Library

    (657 reviews)

    Back Bay

    This is an absolutely gorgeous library, the older section houses fantastic art and feels more like…read morea museum than a library. It also has the Courtyard Tea Room (reservations available on Open Table) for traditional afternoon tea on the main level. I was able to peek inside but it was being prepared for a private event. Adjacent to the tea room is the Map Room Lounge for small bites and cocktails. Very cool. Bates Hall was amazing to walk into, but it was full of people studying, so I limited my visit to one end of the hall. In between the older part and the newer part of the library (where most of the books are, and a coffee shop/gift shop as well) is the Norman B. Leventhal Map & Education Center. They currently have a super interesting display called "Declarations: Printing a New Nation" with original copies of the Declaration of Independence in various formats. It was also really interesting to see the display of the maps of Boston over time and how the city changed. A must see if you are in Boston!

    The Boston Public Library holds more than 23 million items, estimated to be among the three largest…read morecollections in the country, including books, maps, manuscripts, letters, drawings, and other original works dating back as early as the 10th century. Notable items include first edition folios by William Shakespeare, original music scores from Mozart to Prokofiev's "Peter and the Wolf;" and the personal library of President John Adams. The Library continues to make its impressive special collections accessible to the public through a robust digitization program, all available online at Digital Commonwealth. At the Boston Public Library, books are just the beginning! The outdoor garden area , private tea room restaurant and even a study hall ! Another check off my bucket list for sure ,a dream wedding venue too ( just saying )

    Boston Athenaeum - Sample of some of the art

    Boston Athenaeum

    (71 reviews)

    Downtown

    We've gone to so many incredible talks at the Athenaeum. In addition to it being a beautiful…read morelibrary, the author talks and events really make this place special. Most recently, we went to a talk on George Washington's private library collection.

    I was in Boston for a conference this week, and it's always a shame to not do or see anything in…read morethe city where you've been for work. I knew I wouldn't have much free time and needed to get some work done between the end of the conference and leaving for the airport. When I discovered the Athenaeum, I thought - perfect! So what is the Boston Athenaeum? It's a "unique combination of library, museum, and cultural center in a magnificent landmark building . . . One of the country's oldest and most distinguished independent libraries..." It's a great place to work, study, and socialize. The first floor of the Athenaeum (where they have several galleries, including one for temporary exhibits) is open to the public. The rest of the floors are open to members only. Annual membership is currently $506/year or $338 for people 40 and under. However, they offer a day pass ($40), which is how I took advantage of the Athenaeum for a day. There are desks, chairs, patios, tables - tons of places to work and study and read. There are incredible views. The collection of art on the main level was worth seeing, and I also enjoyed their temporary exhibit: "Allan Rohan Crite: Griot of Boston." I wish they had provided a map, because - as a first time visitor - I got very confused by the floorplan. I couldn't find stairs so used the elevator, but one elevator only went to the second of five floors, so ... I wandered, found a place on the fourth floor to work from, and explored. It's really beautiful and it was a great place to get some work done while learning a little about Boston. $40 was a little steep, but it allowed me to get a little bit of a museum visit in while also allowing me the opportunity to work in a more beautiful place for a few hours. I'd happily check it out again. If I lived in Boston, I'd definitely consider becoming a member.

    Robbins Library

    Robbins Library

    (50 reviews)

    Arlington Center

    I've driven past this library for decades but never went inside until the past few years. After my…read moresecond visit to,look around, I just had to get myself a library card here. Besides being an architecturally appealing building, I love the layout and offerings. I've found books, and other items that other libraries either don't have or are hard to get, being checked out frequently. I recently discovered their nice DVD section. I found all seasons of Get Smart and rented them all over a period of about 5-1/2 weeks. They have a decent selection of Blu-Ray discs as well. The first room on the left as you enter is where they keep newspapers and periodicals. It's also a wonderful spot to sit and read. There's a small but adequate metered parking lot behind the building , which is managed by the Town. There's on-street metered parking as well. Just a block or two away, you'll find free parking on the side streets. They also offer passes to museums and some other local attractions, although, in most cases, the discount is somewhat less than those available from the Boston Public Library. The advantage is this is both easier to get to and park at. They do also offer,some virtual passes that you can easily obtain online. It is near at least two MBTA bus routes (77, 87). The staff is very helpful and friendly. They are associated with several other libraries within their network as well.

    Great library. Helpful staff. Lots of audiobooks and DVDs. And a comfy area to explore fiction…read more Love the big overstuffed chair there.

    John F Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum - Nail-biting election night results against Nixon.

    John F Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum

    (328 reviews)

    Dorchester

    The JFK Presidential Library is one of the most impressive, inspiring museums I've visited. JFK led…read morean extraordinary life, and the library does a remarkable job showing why he remains such a compelling and influential figure. Walking through the exhibits, you really feel the weight of an era when the presidency carried a different kind of dignity and aspiration. The way Kennedy spoke, what he stood for, and the sense of public service he embodied stand in stark contrast to the tone of modern politics. Visiting the library made me appreciate that difference even more. Trump has made the United States a laughing stock. I wish we could just erase Trump from existence. The museum itself is beautifully designed, bright, and right on the water -- an amazing setting. The core exhibits are informative, moving, and very well curated. I especially loved the special exhibit on presidential pets, which added a fun and charming touch. Overall, the JFK Library is fascinating, inspiring, and absolutely worth the trip. Highly recommended.

    Great museum both for its content and its architecture. I went after there was some reconstruction,…read moreso it was free entry, but it's definitely worth it to come for the entry fee. There is a fairly large parking lot, and it's right on the water which is scenic. It's a very thorough exhibit from a movie talking about JFK's early life, then the exhibits from his marriage, the election, life in the White House, the Cuban missile crisis, and then his unfortunate assassination and the aftermath. The information was well laid out and displayed, so it took a couple of hours to get through and leave in a pensive mood. Well, until I went to the Presidential Pets exhibit which lightened the mood. Well played! There are also a decent gift shop and a cafe on site. It was a great presentation and well worth visiting.

    Mugar Memorial Library - libraries - Updated May 2026

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