Drive down Broadway a little too quickly and you might just miss it. The Library: A Coffee House may not look like much from the outside, with its faded brick walls and plain red awning with simple script writing, but step inside and you’re met with dozens of hanging ornaments and original art, creating an inviting cave of color.
Cozy is the word that comes to mind when greeted by the variety of couches, sofa seats and tables that create an intimate environment. The result is a perfect spot to study, with enough drinks and treats to keep you going through the day.
Venture past The Library’s entrance and you’ll find a second room with more seating, a piano and a stage for open mic nights. The two rooms help create a sense of separation during the cafe’s open mic nights, which range from musical performances to stand-up comedy.
Even when the rooms are filled with studious customers, the noise never rises to a level of distraction. The cafe sells pastries, lattes and individually wrapped snacks to munch on while working, and the dissimilar furniture helps make you feel as though you’re simply studying in someone’s home. The bookcases full of literature offer a simple getaway from your studies, and they’re available for purchase if you get attached to one during your stay.
The Library has been a staple in the city for years, filling up every midterm and finals season and offering a refuge from winter weather. The cafe opened February 18, 1993 by Steven Kuinius and Gary Paterno. The cluttered and cozy design quickly became beloved, as many compare it to the iconic cafe set in the ‘90s TV show “Friends.”
The low hum of jazz music, unique and vintage scattered lamps and exposed brick walls give off the impression that you’re about to pay a pretty penny for a nice place to study, but the breakfast, lunch and desserts are a pleasant surprise, both in size and price. The low prices are a relief because you need to be a paying customer in order to receive the WiFi password and use the bathrooms.
Right in the middle of one of the busiest streets in the city, the cafe does well to reflect the city and what it stands for. Along with promoting and selling local artist’s work, The Library revels in its differences, displaying countless styles and tones throughout the cafe to show this institution is diverse, and so are its people. Plastered across one wall in the secondary room are dozens of polaroids to prove it, featuring members of the community and customers who regular the coffee house.
The Library knows its audience, offering a special treat for those who are loyal in the form of a punch card. For every 10th purchase, you’re rewarded with a free drink of your choice, perfect for any struggling student.
With midterms just around the corner and finals creeping up, The Library offers a safe, cozy haven for students.