Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library

Elite '08

40

95

Daniel M.

Cambridge, MA

Can't speak to the library itself but when it's closed and the moon is out their steps are pretty nice to sit and people watch.  Maybe do a little makin' out.  Whatev.

Good times.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

 

4

11

chris m.

Cambridge, MA

While in college I had spent many days in the dank abyss of this magnificent library.  The stacks are closed to the public but don't worry b/c you're not missing anything.  You can indeed forage around on the 1st and 2nd floor (including the rare books on the mezzanine).

The Reading Room is a great place to briefly escape the liveliness in Harvard Sq. It has internet access and many national and international newspapers and magazines and most importantly a restroom.  Where else can you read The Prague Post in Czech. Oh yeah, online.

I have a love-hate relationship w/ this place.

5 stars for allowing me to graduate and not return 17 overdue books!

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

 

19

97

Diane I.

Somerville, MA

i'm seriously obsessed with widener right now.
i stop by before my class to study and its absolutely gorgeous.  the reading room is just what i was looking for - open, good lighting, decent seating... i could get locked up here for hours.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Elite '08

10

141

Hubert H.

Cambridge, MA

Yes absolutely one of the most important resources for Harvard students and faculty. I don't know about that whole nookie in the stacks thing, I mean, who wants to do it with dust everywhere? But to each their own. Beware of the light switches on the stacks ... when you touch them you'll get a slight electric shock. It's that dry in there.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

 

7

54

Scott S.

Cambridge, MA

I have no idea how good this library is because they won't let me in here.  Harvard students only?  WTF?  Across town, MIT's libraries are open to all -- and nearly every other American college is the same way.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

 

3

49

Sonam V.

Chicago, IL

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Elite '08

45

260

mike c.

Boston, MA

Widener is the heart and soul of the Harvard College Library, and is one of the Boston areas academic treasures. Unfortunately to gain access to the building one needs to have a Harvard College id otherwise one needs to seek access through the Membership Privileges office. Since the central mission of the library is to serve the academic needs of the Harvard community access is limited to scholars to keep the open stacks secure and to insure quiet in its two reading rooms. Once inside the main entrance you will be dazzled by the marble surface and grand staircase leading to the main reading room. On your ascent up to the reading room you will see two murals painted by Sargent commemorating veterans of the WW. They our not Sargent's best and our more graphic then painterly in their execution. Also you will pass the Henry Widener Memorial Room, which features this Harvard's alums personal library. His mother donated the money for Harvard to construct the library as a memorial to her son who lost his life on board the Titanic. Widener features over 9 floors of stacks, whose access is tightly restricted accept for card holders. I love Widener because if I ever need an out of print book in fiction I can always trust this library to have it.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review