Fiction Library

Rainalai · 05-02-2008, 05:18 PM

This is probably a silly question, but I've been wondering for the longest time if there are any libraries on campus that are partially devoted to fiction? I can't help but need my continuous indulgences in reading fantasy and young adult chick-lit, and I'm so used to just walking across the street after school to the local library and picking up all the new releases. If yes, how good are they at ordering all the newest books, and would you be able to request ones that aren't in the stacks? If not, how far away is the nearest Barnes and Noble? I realize I probably won't have that much time to follow all my favorite series at MIT, haha, but I still have to try somehow

PiperXP · 05-02-2008, 08:12 PM

"MIT Science Fiction Society

The world's largest open-shelf collection of science fiction is the MITSFS Library"

MIT Science Fiction Society

To answer your question about Barnes & Noble, there's a bus that runs by the big COOP in Kendall that will take you to the CambridgeSide Galleria for free - and there's a B&N there as well as a pretty park to read at =D

PiperXP · 05-02-2008, 08:13 PM

Futher:"Anyone can come and browse whenever the Library is open (see the schedule), and members can borrow from our circulating section. We can be contacted at mitsfs@mit.edu. Membership is solely a matter of dues and is not restricted to MIT students. (But if you're not in the area, there's no point, though we welcome the donation.)"

LauraN · 05-03-2008, 03:59 PM

The Humanities library does have some fiction, but not much new stuff as far as I can tell.

But, as long as you have proof of address in Massachusetts- like a credit card bill mailed to your dorm- you can get a Boston Public Library card.

pebbles · 05-03-2008, 06:16 PM

BPL, man

.

Rainalai · 05-03-2008, 06:20 PM

Ohh, that's good to know! I think I"ll be doing a lot of trips to Barnes and Noble and the library then. Thank you piper and Laura and pebbles!

Out of curiosity, which branch of the library is nearest to MIT? And what would be the best way of getting there?

molliebatmit · 05-03-2008, 10:13 PM

There's probably a closer branch, but the biggest is the main library at Copley Square -- you would take the red line subway to Park Street station, then switch to the green line, or else take the #1 bus across the river to Boylston Street and walk the ~0.5 miles to the library. The library is right next to the Copley Square station.

I would advise bringing a backpack if you're like me and are unable to regulate your book load.

PiperXP · 05-03-2008, 10:41 PM

The MIT Science Fiction Society that I mentioned is in the student center =D. If you really feel they don't have what you want (which I would doubt), you'd get to the Boston library via the T.

LauraN · 05-04-2008, 01:01 AM

I mean, it's a science fiction library. It might have 90-something percent of all sci fi ever published, but there are lots of other genres out there that people might be interested in reading...

I always walk or ride my bike to the library that Mollie mentioned. This might kind of suck in the middle of the winter, though.

Also, I'm pretty sure you can also get access to the Cambridge library system, but I never quite figured that out. The BPL is good enough for me.

Also, I'm pretty sure that the Galleria has a Borders, not a B&N. I don't know if some people have strong allegiances to one or the other.

PiperXP · 05-04-2008, 03:38 AM

Ah, you're right (about the other genres/Borders in the Galleria). I was just answering the sci-fi part =D

Rainalai · 05-04-2008, 02:15 PM

Thank you guys all so much once again! You have no idea how happy this makes me. I don't think I would have been able to survive without fiction books around