Where to study or read in NYC?

January 31, 2005 11:30 AM

Where to study or read in NYC? [+]

I'm a fan of Trump Tower and the IBM Building, but even those can get claustrophobic after a while. I’ve seen NYC’s privately owned public space directory, which is great but not comprehensive.

Of particular interest are the indoor-garden type of space, and places in the Village, though I’m open to all of Manhattan and other boroughs. I have access to NYU spaces if you know of any good ones.

posted by lorrer to Education (10 answers total)

Kimmel Student Center has some nice corners, especially on the top floors, where you can find a view of the Empire State Building.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 11:36 AM on January 31, 2005 [1 favorite]

As for NYU related spaces, the Hemmerdinger and Silverstein lounges in the Silver Center are quite nice if they're not being used for events or receptions. The newly renovated basements of the Bobst library are good as well, especially the casual reading room on the second sub-level, all the way at the back, though it is a bit cloistered (which can be nice sometimes). I also like the eighth and ninth floors of Bobst on the southern side because you can get a nice view of Macdougal.

For getting serious work done, I like the second lower concourse in Tisch Hall, which (as you probably know) is part of the Stern school. All those bustling business majors talking about interest rates and market diversification really seem to have a positive effect on my work ethic.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art also has that great Japanese garden, if you're willing to pony up the admission.
posted by mmcg at 11:53 AM on January 31, 2005

THE DRIFTERS lyrics - "Up On The Roof"



(Gerry Goffin and Carole King)

When this old world starts getting me down
And people are just too much for me to face
I climb way up to the top of the stairs
And all my cares just drift right into space
On the roof, it's peaceful as can be
And there the world below can't bother me
Let me tell you now

When I come home feelin' tired and beat
I go up where the air is fresh and sweet (up on the roof)
I get away from the hustling crowd
And all that rat-race noise down in the street (up on the roof)
On the roof, the only place I know
Where you just have to wish to make it so
Let's go up on the roof (up on the roof)

brief instrumental-chiefly strings

At night the stars put on a show for free
And, darling, you can share it all with me

I keep a-tellin' you

Right smack dab in the middle of town
I've found a paradise that's trouble proof (up on the roof)
And if this world starts getting you down
There's room enough for two
Up on the roof (up on the roof)
Up on the roo-oo-oof (up on the roof)
Oh, come on, baby (up on the roof)
Oh, come on, honey (up on the roof)

[Fade]

Everything is all right (up on the roof)
posted by scratch at 11:59 AM on January 31, 2005

I am a big fan of the beautiful Rose reading room in the main Humanities and Social Sciences New York Public Library on 42nd St. and 5th Avenue (NYPL Humanities and Social Science library homepage) It's big, beautiful, and free internet access to boot (both public computers and if you bring your own laptop.)

Security is a little tight on the way in but it's nothing you aren't used to in NYC these days.
posted by moxyberry at 1:29 PM on January 31, 2005

moxyberry, that room looks amazing and similar to the Harper Library at the University of Chicago. Are there also smaller spaces/rooms/caves in that same building? I tend to move around halfway through my study. And, more importantly, how comfortable are the chairs? That really defines what makes a good public study space for me.
posted by scazza at 1:56 PM on January 31, 2005

scazza, I've always liked the Map Room which is indeed a smaller comfier room in the main branch building. Note though that it'll be closed for renovation from sometime this spring till sometime this fall. (Hmm, the post-renovation picture makes it look like there'll be fewer, bigger chairs.)
posted by nicwolff at 2:14 PM on January 31, 2005

Bobst has honest to god Aeron chairs in private rooms in the basement if you like your sitting. On the other hand, a lot of the NYU kids using the place are nasty brats. NYU really seems to be a place of more money than sense sometimes.

If the weather is nice or you can deal with the cold Stuyvesant Square Park (2nd Ave btwn 15th and 17th) is a nice place to sit and read.
posted by TheOnlyCoolTim at 2:25 PM on January 31, 2005

The Ford Foundation building on East 42nd St. is a fantastic place to hang out -- I used to spend my lunch hour reading there amidst the greenery when I worked nearby.

(nicwolff, I love the Map Room, and am sad it's going to be modernized.)
posted by languagehat at 3:23 PM on January 31, 2005

I really do like the Atlas coffeeshop at Grand and Havermyer (L to Lorimer) in Brooklyn. Giant windows, cheap coffee, not-too-distracting music, and just far enough removed from the craziness of the city.

And free WIFI. I'm there right now.
posted by 4easypayments at 6:34 PM on January 31, 2005

I liked Cooper Park when the weather is nice. And Bryant Park too, though that can get crowded.
posted by SisterHavana at 8:06 AM on February 1, 2005