John D Rockefeller, Jr Library

I love the Rock. I love it for its silent room, for its extremely knowledgeable librarians, for its participation in an extensive interlibrary loan system that allows me to find any book I need, and for that crazy, gigantic, round chandelier that I swear is going to fall on me if I sit in the pretty leather chairs below. I also hate the Rock. I hate it for the occasionally rude staff at the front desk, for its less-​than-​intuitive layout, for the smarmy, pretentious comments written on the bathroom walls, and for the other students who are constantly stealing my study carrel.
The compliments and complaints of one student are of little use to the general public, however. Access to the Rock is limited for those who are not affiliated with the Brown community. You need a referral from another educational institution or you have to shell out for a library card (and boy, do they make you pay). If you’re not doing serious research, the Rock is not worth your while; try one of the other fine libraries in Providence instead.