The new Thompson library

The eleventh floor of the William Oxley Thompson Memorial library is probably the most peaceful place to do homework, not to mention an easy place to get distracted by the beautiful scenery outside all the windows. One can really see everything from here. The dichotomy of the atmosphere also makes it an interesting place to be. The place is so standard: tables and chairs and a wood floor, and it is so quiet. At the same time, it's extremely busy and there is a lot going on, but everyone just stays isolated from one another. People are not interacting with each other at all.



The new library just looks incredible from all perspectives. It has the essence of an older building from the outside, but when one walks in, one is surrounded by the most modern, state-of-the-art technology. Even the way the books are organized looks modern.

The entire library is amazing, but the only place that lures me in is the top floor. The rest of the place is almost too big, too easy to get lost in. I thought my public library at home was really big with its two floors. I knew where everything was there and could totally find books on my own. Here, I could never check out a book cause I have no idea where anything is. It is actually pretty daunting.

The Thompson library closed in July 2006 to accommodate much needed renovations. Three years later in August of 2009, the library opened its doors to reveal its new transformation. The original library was built in 1910 by Allen and Collins, from Boston. There was an architecture competition to select who was to design the architecture of the building. After that, the building was renovated three times, including the most recent time.

The intended function of this space is obviously studying, or writing blogposts for English class. A secondary or "hidden" function for me is to zone out and gaze at the campus of this amazing university I am so lucky to attend. I'm sure I'm not the only one who seeks refuge here. I think a place really has to be something special to be able to give someone the feeling of isolation, without actually being alone.