Wherever I am, it’s always places with books that draw me in and make it feel like home. Ann Arbor is no exception. As much as going away for college can shake up your routine, for a reader, stepping into a library or bookstore can help the unease fall away.
Thankfully, the University of Michigan campus and wider Ann Arbor area are full of libraries and bookstores, old and new. Whether you’re looking for your next great read, a place to study or just that sharp paper and ink smell, there is a place for you. Without further ado, here are some of my favorite bookish places in Ann Arbor.
The Dawn Treader Book Shop
The Dawn Treader Book Shop, which has been featured in The Michigan Daily a couple times, is not only my favorite bookstore, but my personal favorite place in all of Ann Arbor. Filled to the brim with tall shelves of previously loved books, Dawn Treader is a great place to destress and find a book for cheap. If you’re looking to splurge, they also have a collection of rare items, first editions and signed books for sale.
With its piles of books and homey vibe, Dawn Treader invites you to stay awhile. Sometimes, I like to grab a coffee from across the street at Lab Cafe and immerse myself in the shop for a while. They even have a small cart outside with books for just a dollar each, making the shop not only cozy, but budget-friendly and a comfortable environment. Though I love that new book smell as much as the next bookworm, holding a book in Dawn Trader and knowing it’s passed through hands before mine is an altogether irreplaceable experience.
Hatcher Graduate Library
Standing as the biggest and oldest library at the University, Hatcher Library is one of the most popular study spots on campus, and is home to over three and a half million books. The library is huge, with eight floors and a range of different places to work or read. Hatcher is also home to the Special Collections Research Center, which holds archival materials from various subjects. Some materials can be checked out, while others can be requested for viewing in the Center’s Reading Room.
Hatcher is famously known for its “stacks,” shelves upon shelves of books going from the basement all the way up to the eighth floor. Cubicles of study spaces line most of the library walls, so you can sit and study surrounded by books. Hatcher is a loved and appreciated study spot — especially around finals season — but not many students take advantage of the opportunity to check books out from the library. It’s easy to get lost in the maze of the stacks, but it’s such a rewarding experience to find the book you are looking for. The librarians across all U-M libraries are also readily available for any of your research needs. If you are looking for a book to read for fun or the perfect source for an assignment, Hatcher is likely to have what you need.
Law Library
Every U-M student, interested in law or not, knows the magnetic pull of the Law Library. Situated in the center of the Law Quadrangle, the Law Library is gorgeous inside and out. It’s not just a pretty place to take graduation pictures, though. The Law Library’s Reading Room offers a quiet, focused setting to hunker down and get some real work done. Hours and seats are limited for non-law students, but if you get there early enough, it is worth it.
With chandeliers, dark wood tables and soft lighting, the Law Library is a taste of Hogwarts in Ann Arbor. As a pre-law student, the Law Library holds an extra special place in my heart. I long for a future day when I can sit on the side of the Reading Room that’s reserved for law students and even check legal research materials out. Until then, though, I am content to sit in the undergraduate section and bask in its motivating, academic atmosphere.
Literati Bookstore
For ten years in a row, Literati has been dubbed the best bookstore in Ann Arbor. Thanks to its welcoming vibes and friendly staff, it’s a popular favorite among students. Literati is a great place to shop for books and even get a recommendation. As an independent bookstore, it offers the chance to discover new or indie books that might not make it to chains like Barnes & Noble. There’s a reason Literati keeps winning the vote, and your time in Ann Arbor is incomplete until you visit the shop at least once.
William L. Clements Library
Like Hatcher, the William L. Clements Library is just as much a historical building as it is a library. It collects and preserves historical books and documents, specifically from the United States in the 18th and 19th centuries. U-M students can browse the archives and make an appointment to view documents using the website.
Unfortunately, the library is not regularly open for students to study in. However, anyone can come in during public exhibit hours to browse the artifacts on display. Additionally, the library typically opens for limited study hours during U-M finals season. The Reading Room is a gorgeous, awe-inspiring space, and the library even brings in therapy dogs and offers food and snacks for students.
Shapiro Undergraduate Library
While not the prettiest place to study, the Undergraduate Library is certainly accessible and convenient. With a cafe on the first floor and countless seating areas, Shapiro is a go-to for students to study, hold meetings or just hang out. The library is known for staying open 24 hours a day during the school week, making it a good place to hunker down for finals. There are places to sit on every floor of the UGLi, but a favorite for many students is “Clark Commons,” a recently renovated study area located on the third floor, which has whiteboards, easy outlet access, a bookable multipurpose room for events and many other amenities.
The UGLi also has some books available for students to check out. Books checked out at Hatcher can be returned at the UGLi, and vice versa, thanks to the University’s connected library system. The libraries themselves are even connected via a bridge on the second and third floors.
–
If you’re like me, walking into a library or a bookstore brings you an immediate sense of peace and happiness. When you’re at the University, it can be easy to get caught up in classes and extracurriculars and forget about the history and culture that surrounds you. There are beautiful libraries to study in and bookstores to roam, so try not to hole up in your dorm room; instead, venture out to see what the city has to offer — bookish and otherwise.
I urge you to take in the grandeur of libraries like the Law Library in person, but also to bring it one step further and support bookstores like Literati or check out a book or two from Hatcher. You are only a U-M student once. Much like reading a book for the first time, the experience can never be replicated, so you should make the most of it while it lasts.
Daily Arts Writer Amany Sayed can be reached at amanysay@umich.edu
