Lost in the Library: Baker-Berry (Part 2)

Reece's D-Plan

- FallHanover, NH
  Favorite Class: REL 62 Religion, Politics, and the Presidency
  As a student interested in both government and religion, I was thrilled to take this course in the fall—concurrent with the presidential election. The Professor, Randall Balmer, was a really engaging speaker and a leading expert in the field—he even authored two of the course books! We spent our class time discussing many historical and modern elections and discussed in depth the religious influences on the various figures. Overall, this class was really interesting and a great introduction to the religion major!
- WinterHanover, NH
  Favorite Class: REL 11.01 God and Money
  I took this class with Professor Devin Singh, and it really solidified my interest in studying Religion at Dartmouth. We began the course by outlining the various emergence theories of money, and spent a significant amount of time debunking the most popular: commodity theory (i.e., that money emerged to help people trade). We examined historical evidence, discussed relevant texts, and were able to build our own theories about the history of money. The second half of class focused on the religious connotations of wealth. Overall, this course challenged me in a positive way and highlighted the importance of studying religion in contemporary society.

A brick building with a tower and spire in the center and plenty of windows in the brick facing. There is a white door in the center of the image with text that reads "baker."

Lost in the Library: Baker-Berry (Part 2)

Welcome to the second edition of "Lost in the Library," a photo-based series showcasing all the common and unique study spots on campus! In the last edition, I described Berry Library, the newer half of the iconic Baker-Berry Library. This post will highlight Berry Library, the older half built in 1928!

Reiss Hall:

Officially named Reiss Hall, colloquially referred to as Blobby (Baker Lobby), this study space is a favorite among students. Open 24/7 and located right at the front of Baker, Blobby is a nice space to study, work on projects with friends, or just relax. There are many couches, mini desks, and group work tables available for students!

A long white ornate hall with black and white checkered tile on the floor. There are windows on the left side of the hall and couches lining both sides.

Reiss Hall

1902 Room:

Located off the side of Blobby, the 1902 room is another popular 24/7 study area. Its long wooden tables facilitate an excellent group work environment, and its warm, cozy couches at the end of the room by the fireplace make a great reading nook. In addition to the study spots, the 1902 room is also a part of history as the walls are lined with portraits of past College presidents and deans.

A large room with yellow walls. The end wall has a fire pace. There is a chandelier hanging from the center of the room, and four long wooden tables line each side of the room.

The Dr. Seuss Room:

On the other side of Blobby lies the iconic Dr. Seuss Room, named in honor of Theodor Geisel, Class of 1925. This room is truly an homage to Dr. Susse, as evidenced by the portrait on the wall, the framed book covers, and the various memories scattered throughout.

A medium-sized carpeted room with five clue couch chairs. There are framed photos on the walls and a wooden table under a window on the right side of the room, across from a door.

An illustrated page from a children's picture book depicts a town with orange and yellow buildings. The street in the image is bright white, and there is green grass. This image is inside a gold frame and hanging on a wall.

A framed portrait of an old man hangs on the left wall. The man has gray/white hair, is wearing a blue shirt, and is writing in a boom. On the right, there is a display case with a yellow plush and some printed cards.

Theodor Geisel's Portrait

If you want a break from the traditional study space, the Dr. Seuss Room is the place for you!

East Reading Room:

Next to the Dr. Seuss Room sits the peaceful East Reading Room, aptly located on the east side of Baker. I consider this room a "hidden treasure" as its main entrance is tucked away from sight and invisible to most loitering around Blobby. There are many couches, desks, and chairs for students to use, as well as an upstairs level for those who want to lock in and finish their work unbothered.

A large two-story library with arched thresholds. The center of the room is an open space, but there are two stories of desks on the walls. The floor is checkered wood, and all the coaches are a light green/teal.

East Reading Room

Baker Cafe:

Accessible through the East Reading Room, Reiss Hall, and the First Floor of Berry Library, Baker Cafe is a quintessential Dartmouth College shop. Students love their Boba, Smoothies, and various other snacks. Although it's not a very popular study spot for those who need to focus in silence, Baker Cafe is an excellent social space in the library and a great gathering area for friends.

Mezzanine Classrooms:

If you go up half a level from the East Reading Room, you reach the Baker Mezzanine. Although this space is fairly small, there are a few classrooms on each side of the hall. When not occupied by teachers and classes during the day, these wooden desk secluded spaces are great for studying students.

A wooden table with blue chairs sits in the forefront of the image. On the back wall is a painted portrait of a man sitting on a desk and holding a book.

One of the Mezzanine Classrooms

Women's, Gender, & Sexuality Studies Library:

Up one level from the Mezzanine, on the library's top floor, resides the Department of Women's Gender and Sexuality Studies (WGSS). Hidden inside this department hub is Baker's secret gem: the WGSS Library. This cozy and quaint study spot boosts large windows, bright coaches, and large tables, perfect for all groups!

A room filled with green cuched and bright orange plastic chairs. There are two large windows on the right wall and a wooden design on the back wall. The floor is pink carpet.

The WGSS Library

Subject Librarian Offices:

Across from the WGSS Department are the offices of the Dartmouth Subject Librarians. For every major offered at Dartmouth, there is a corresponding subject librarian who helps students brainstorm, research, and acquire source material for their essays and projects. Any student, regardless of their major, can make an appointment with a subject librarian, and they are highly encouraged to do so. The subject librarians are excellent resources here at Dartmouth and are one of my favorite parts of the library!

A reception desk sits on the back left, and a hallway lies on the right. The hallways lead to many offices with open doors. There are orange couch chairs in the forefront, and the carpet is a brown and orange pattern.

Reception of the Librarian's Offices

Tower Room:

On the top floor of Baker, overlooking the Dartmouth Green, lies the Dartmouth Tower Room. Students flock to this space to silently study, read, or just relax. The green velvet couches are nice and relaxing for hours of late-night studying, and the tall ceilings provide an excellent ambiance. If you ever get the chance to visit Dartmouth, I highly recommend you check out this room. Just be careful not to disturb other students, as it is a completely silent space!

A tall two-story space with books lining all the walls. In the center, there are brown couch chairs and tables with overhead lamps. On the right, there are various nooks with windows and green velvet chairs. The sun is shining through the windows.

The Tower Room

Orozco Room:

In the basement of Baker, exactly three levels below the Tower Room, sits the Orozco Room. This space hosts long wooden collaborative tables and small couches for students to utilize while studying. Like the Tower Room, it is a silent study space. Despite the cool couches and tables, the highlight of this room has to be the murals that line the walls. Painted in the 1930s by José Clemente Orozco, these murals, officially titled "The Epic of American Civilization," are designated National Historical Landmarks and are most definitely a hidden gem of Dartmouth College.