An Exploration of Bunn Library's Unique Spaces

Whether it be Finals Week, a rainy afternoon, or Wellness Wednesdays at Lawrenceville, the Bunn Library is an essential building that cultivates our academic prosperity, social life, and self-care. The term “library warriors,” has come to describe Lawrenceville students who spend their hours in Bunn either by studying alone, catching up with friends, or reading a good book—all within the walls of Bunn. Consider a few of the following options when you next face the grueling choice about where in Bunn to set up shop! 

This multipurpose space is arguably the most frequently filled room in Bunn. The Reading Room is home to the majority of smaller-scale events and various club meetings and community gatherings such as What Matters to Me and Why, LTA, and seasonal House gingerbread competitions. To those who study in McGraw—we commend you for your bravery. McGraw is often a “busy, noisy, and exciting room, often yielding too many distractions for homework,” observes Kyle Ozgun ’24, a native of Bunn. We recommend this large room if you need an event space or want to socialize, but not as a study environment, unless you prefer being surrounded by chaos and distractions.

Another flexible library room, the Heely Archives serve as an area for gathering and conversing. Located in Bunn’s basement, this room is often popular towards the end of longer lunch periods or after dinner when students study for tests. Additionally, Heely’s numerous projection screens around the room are a unique source for GSA presentations or group assignments. Just ask Elizabeth Parnell ’23, who, with her time through the Heely Scholars Program last summer, learned to appreciate “the octagonal shape of the room, as it was easy to turn and talk to my peers on collaborative assignments.” The Heely Archives, unfortunately, is often overlooked, but it’s typically quiet and frequently available making it an awesome room for a study session.

Although the Electronic Classroom is often locked, we can appreciate this room as a modern, clean, and simple space to crack open a copy of The Great Gatsby or When the Emperor was Divine and get to reading. While its doors are rarely open, when the lights are on, you should grab the room without hesitation since the room is truly unique. First of all there are the wheely chairs– who doesn’t love to spin while they work? Secondly, the EC has a round Harkness table, a smart board, and even an official podium, meaning it is a classroom after all. Price Donaldson ’24, Co-President of the Lawrenceville Sailing Club, uses this room for her club meetings, noting that “the space is ideal for any amount of people, easily reconfiguring into numerous layouts depending on the club meeting turnout.” Use this space whenever possible, and don’t hesitate to reach out to the Circulation Desk to book a time with the EC! 

Located on each floor of Bunn, almost every nook of the wall is filled with little study rooms Lawrentians call “pods.” In the pods, you will find four chairs, a round wooden table and a big whiteboard. This layout encourages collaborative or independent work on the board which can be used to map out larger ideas (like history papers!). There are four pods on the upper floor, six on the main floor, and two in the basement. During study hall especially, students fight tooth and nail for these pods to secure a spot. One of its most frequent occupants, Sawyer English ’25 enjoys how “private the rooms are,” allowing him to “study alone or with friends, making it the perfect hangout space, or place to do homework.” Study pods are an optimal place to hangout with friends if you want to avoid messy common rooms and the crowded Tsai Dining Hall. They also serve as a great place for group projects.

Located on the main floor, The Harkness Room is the Electronic Classroom’s sophisticated older sister. The room isn’t modern but it embodies the true 18th century aesthetic of Lawrenceville. This room is often used for students who need to make up tests or in-class essays, and it is the perfect room for meetings. In this room, there is a Harkness table and a TV. If you want to use this room during the week, you have to receive permission, as it is only used for special reasons.