Reading Period Hotspots in Review

There are a lot of things at Princeton that make students here feel warm and fuzzy. Late meal, for example. Free t-shirts. Professors who give out lots of A’s (grade inflation be damned) and a cell phone number with the casual “Call me if you have a question.” But despite the Princeton preoccupation with rating everything from courses to restaurants to campus sex hotspots (watch for the recent Prince survey for a comprehensive list), there exists no formal rating of the warmest, fuzziest parts of our lives: our libraries, each with a reputation as distinct as those of our beloved eating clubs.Until we get a properly quantitative survey, you'll just have to rely on random journalists' views on the subject (The Press: telling Americans what to think since 1701!).  The Prince shared their opinion earlier this year; now, in honor of Reading Period, we at Press Club decided to give our own take.So here goes.Lewis LibraryA library with a range of study environments, from the “tree house” to the Egg chairs (which, contrary to popular belief, have not yet been proven to cast grade-enhancing spells or whisper sweet, intellectual nothings in sitters’ ears, despite their exorbitant cost). Although, speaking of whispering -- people are starting to take the "silent zone" thing really seriously in the tree house;  I’ve gotten dirty looks twice for merely sneezing in the place.MarquandClearly the library in which to see and be seen. With those wall-to-wall windows and that nightly glow, Marquand is designed to lure unsuspecting students inside, like an exhibitionist moth to a flame. It is also, apparently, a breeding ground for such meaningful romantic (missed) connections as these:Chancellor GreenOpen only during weekdays, this is the library for the heavy-drinking Princetonian. After all, what properly tippling Princeton student has time for weekend studying? With only an hour between breakfast and the start of the evening’s pre-game, there’s hardly time to do laundry. (These elements may, of course, be vestiges of the fact that Chancellor Green happened to be, once upon a time, a student pub. And from the looks of it, a fantastic one at that.)Rocky-MatheyThe perfect place to catch up on some good gossip and wait for meals to open. Just make sure not to speak too quietly, lest you make it easy for those around you to focus.ForbesForbes has a library? For those who feel that living in Forbes doesn't isolate them enough from the rest of the Princeton world, and who know which secret doors lead to this elusive space.CottageFantastic place to write This Side of Paradise or to film movies that star Walther Matthau, Meg Ryan, and Tim Robbins.Friend CenterA library with three prerequisites:

1. You own a bike.
2. Proximity to a dining hall isn't a concern -- perhaps you get your nourishment intravenously?
3. You like bridges.

Green HallCozy, but closed early on weekends to give the psych-experiment monkeys time and space to exercise. These hours are probably a good thing, though, since the building's locked internal doors on weekends create a lengthy, elevator-involved trek to the bathroom that would undoubtedly cause health issues for students unwilling to leave the library for more than five minutes.McGraw Center in Frist Campus CenterNot actually a library but used as such, this space is really an elaborate hoax. We see you all, pretending to study, checking your watches every five minutes to gauge when to descend on late meal.FirestoneThe library for those who like to appreciate a good sneeze, don’t really want to see or be seen, have no romantic aspirations, stay sober on (some) weekends, avoid gossip, enjoy libraries that are not impossible to find, aren't named "Matthau", don’t own a bike, like to eat meals, are allergic to monkeys, or are not on the unlimited meal plan. Only requirement? A good sense of direction. Oh, and the intention to actually study.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Firestone_Library_Princeton_front.jpg