<p>and easy-to use?</p>
<p>I’m sure both libraries are similar.</p>
<p>The Williams main library is going to be completely torn down in 2007 and a new one built.</p>
<p>Both colleges have good enough libraries that this shouldn’t be a factor in your decision. Williams actually has two primary libraries, one of which was built in 2001. The older library is being rebuilt but I actually don’t think that it will be torn down until closer to 2010 or 2011…the project starts in 2007, but I believe that the older library will be up basically until its replacement is ready. Despite the fact that Williams is rebuilding it, the older library really is pretty nice.</p>
<p>Dartmouth’s library is actually pretty awesome. Its been extensively re-done in the last few years. Also, Rauner is amazing, they have a ton of original historic documents that are pretty remarkable.</p>
<p>You guys have got to be kidding. There is no comparison between Dartmouth’s Baker Library and Williams’ Sawyer Library. The latter is the main library at Williams, not the older Chapin building which is primarily used for faculty offices and for storage. Baker is the granddaddy of New England college libraries and has been since the 1920s. Sawyer was basically a big, minimalist, mistake that wouldn’t have been so bad except that it sits right in the middle of the campus like an alien spaceship. All that is likely to change in the next ten years or so when Chapin is brought out of moth balls, dusted off and refurbished, much as Wesleyan’s library was in the 1980s.</p>
<p>This has got to be a joke!</p>
<p>The Williams libraries are awful! The old one, Chapin, was built by four different architects, and none of the floors connect to each other (there are floors 3A, 2A, etc., which don’t connect with 3 and 2, and etc. (How’s that for “easy to use”?) The “new” library looks like a Stalinist prison with little windows; all it lacks is the barbed wire. One even enters from underneath!) Built in the 70s, it will be bombed in 2007. (Don’t get me started on the monkey carrels!) The President told the alums that if you don’t like it, raise $85 mil to replace it - and they did, in less than a year!</p>
<p>It also has good enough holdings, but not huge in size - roughly half the size of Smith’s.</p>
<p>But the good news is that they will be rebuilding, and then have a library truly worthy of the school.</p>
<p>I agree completely with Haon that it shouldn’t be part of your decision - both will have whatever you require. The bigger issue are two gaping holes in the middle of the Williams campus - first, for the replacement of Baxter Hall the student center (there currently is none - the new center will be terrific, but won’t open until at least January 2007); and then once it opens, the big hole left by the bombing of Sawyer. The results will certainly be wonderful, but you may not be there to reap their benefits much.</p>
<p>Sawyer library is ugly and poorly laid out. Can’t imagine what the architect was thinking. As to the monkey carrels - I saw them on the Collegiate Choice video. They’re much smaller in real life. Wonder what they’ll do with them when the library is rebuilt.</p>
<p>Baker is seriously AMAZING, especially for an undergrad dominated school.</p>
<p>guys, guys–at Williams Stetson (or Chapin–did you really used to call it Chapin??) isn’t the “old” library anymore–Sawyer is!</p>
<p>When I say “new library” I’m talking about Schow which is absolutely beautiful. Sawyer isn’t the most beautiful library, but it’s really quite cozy and good for studying. Williams’ library holdings (and old books collection) are excellent.</p>
<p>Anyways, as has already been said, libraries really shouldn’t be a basis for your college decision.</p>
<p>“The bigger issue are two gaping holes in the middle of the Williams campus -”</p>
<p>Not so. Actually there is one major construction side and it’s not a major issue. The magnificent performing arts center is almost completed and will be operative at the end of this month. The Student Center is expected to be completed winter of 2007. The timing on the library redevelopment is not yet fixed. Most campuses have some type of construction or renovation going on. This is normal and desirable. </p>
<p>The Williams campus is 450 acres. A building under construction does not equal a big hole in the middle of campus. You will not have to wear a hardhat enroute to class.
Take a look at this thread for further comments:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=46568[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=46568</a></p>
<p>Haon - you must be a science major. Schow Library may be a lovely space and it is “new”. I’m equally sure that it’s the preferred place to study at Williams these days. But, it’s slated for science books only; it’s located on the other side of campus, tucked into the newly constructed science complex.</p>
<p>Chapin and Stetson are the same building; Chapin is the name of the rare book collection which is sometimes housed inside Stetson (and still appears on some websites as “Chapin Library”) and is not to be confused with Chapin Hall which is a different building entirely. Stetson is the name of the actual physical building which indeed was the site of the main library before they built Sawyer in the 1970s. Williams’ library odyssey will come full circle when the old “old” library, Stetson, is renovated and thus becomes the new “new” library. At least, that was the plan a year ago. Who knows? It all sounds very expensive to me. ;)</p>
<p>Actually I’m not a science major. The fact that Schow holds science books means nothing to me when I’m studying. If I’m working on something that requires checking books out of a library, if I thought it was necessary, I could take books from Sawyer and bring them to Schow—they’re a 5 minute walk apart. There are no students that I know of that study in Schow simply because they’re doing science, or Sawyer because they aren’t.</p>
<p>I’d actually disagree that Schow is the preferred place to study–students like both libraries a lot for different reasons. Maybe you don’t think Sawyer is the most beautiful library you’ve ever seen (and most students would agree with you), but it works well as a great study space. Many students prefer Sawyer to Schow, and many prefer Schow to Sawyer. Both libraries have collections that are far bigger than you would ever need, and allow students to eat in them (it’s great being able to order a pizza to the library).</p>
<p>Do you go to Williams? Are you an alumn? Or, have you just visited?</p>
<p>I’m an admitted international student so I suppose there’s no chance to visit the school.</p>
<p>Haon, the funny thing is that johnwesley went to Wesleyan.</p>