Stanford Engineering Library

Ok I have to admit in the beginning when one of my study group member suggested to meet at Stanford instead of the San Mateo Library I was hesitant. Granted it is closer to where I live in San Jose but driving into the Stanford area and out is not the easiest thing to do, not to mention lack of food venues.
But now it has become «the go to place» because:
1. The library doesn’t close until 7pm — which is later than most other libraries. And you can still get in as long as someone inside opens the door for you.
2. There are plenty of spacious rooms with white boards — ideal for group meetings.
3. Internet connection is excellent — yes they offer free guest log in.
4. There is a parking structure and is free after 6pm on weekdays and all day during weekends.
5. The ambiance is awesome because… well it’s Stanford campus.
The only thing I don’t like is that I have to pack lunch but as a result we got more hours out of our studying.

This engineering library is located in the Huang building. It is up the stairs of the main floor (or two floors depending on where you enter the building and consider the main area). Anyone can get in, all you have to do is sign in, but only stanford students, staff, and affiliates can actually rent out material.
It has a pretty wide assortment of journals and technical material. There are publications from every major journal and conference that I can think of. The feel of the library is more lounge area than anything else. There are tables, couches, and comfy chairs for you to sit down with an array of outlets to plug in your devices and keep them charged.
There is also a table with different gadgets (ipads, kindles, etc) for you to play around with which is always fun. It can get a little crowded, especially during project week and midterms/​final week. Overall, a good place to study, and situated in a great location if you’re on the west side of campus.

This is for the study areas in the Jen-​Hsun Huang Engineering Center. I’ve gotta say that Stanford students have got it good. the whole place has a google like feel to it. super modern and airy with huge conference rooms fitted with boards, lcd tvs, and projectors. The place is open until the wee hours and even includes an Ike’s Place on site in case you get hungry coding away. If you happen to get access to the Stanford wifi network, its blazing fast too. 21 Mb up and down.

Once upon a time there was a beautiful physics library. It lived in the physics building and physics graduate students could visit it whenever they wanted. It had many old books that no one cared about, but they were warm and cozy.
And then the jerk theorists wanted more office space (or something) and they got rid of the physics library. Many books were given to grad students (who will love them and care for them, even if they are about FORTRAN) and others were sent to storage. A few (but very, very few) lucky books were sent to live in the Engineering Library. Sadly, many of the nice people who lived in the physics library also went away. Stella (yay!) went to the Engineering library. Where did the others go? Were they sent to storage? Did grad students take them home? We may never know.
The engineering library has big tables and small desks and comfy chairs and a small patio. There are lots of outlets for plugging in laptops. It is nice for sitting and working, thought it usually seems crowded. Books? Yeah, I guess there are some books. I find many of the library staffers to not be very helpful. Recently they removed a few shelves of books to put in some more big tables for group work.
I miss my physics library, but the Engineering Library is so much better than the Green Library.

One of my favorite libraries on campus — it’s clean, bright, and has a balcony with a nice campus view. The staff is also really friendly and helpful. I’m taking an engineering class at Stanford so I come here a lot because they have the books I need and its conveniently located to my class (and Ike’s!), but I really enjoy coming here to study for a few hours. In addition to the books, they have a table full of gadgets (iPad, Kindle, etc) you can play with. My one complaint is that the study spaces, while nice (carrels and comfy couches) aren’t plentiful enough — often when I come here they’re all taken.

First of all, this library is open to the public, all you have to do is sign in. However, you can only check out books as a student/​professor/​university affiliate.
Second, it has every major engineering journal from the last thirty years in the stacks. This is unusual, because many other top universities science libraries hide everything older than 10 years.
Third, motion detector lights; why doesn’t every library have this?
Fourth, it’s at Stanford, so if you sit at a good table you can immerse yourself in knowledge and look out upon a beautiful campus.
Disclaimer, I am an engineering student, so obviously this is of more interest to me than most people and the only reason I went there initially was because I was doing research for an IP lawyer, but I’m so glad I did.