I wish I could tell you that I choose my study spots based on a place’s aesthetics. Over the course of my time at UC Berkeley, I’ve had a growing number of neck and back problems and have gotten very picky about having the flexibility to fold and contort my legs into a variety of positions. Thus, one of my biggest considerations when deciding where to study is the chair I will be sitting on. So I embarked on a quest to find my favorite chairs at all the campus libraries. Here is what I found.
Music Library’s office chairs
As you settle in to the well-constructed office chairs at the Music Library, the satisfaction you will feel is unparalleled. They provide proper back support, a nice cushion and roller wheels so you can move freely and adjustable height to boot. As a chair connoisseur, these chairs offer more than most campus library chairs. The only cons are that there are no arm rests, and sometimes it’s a bit tight to fit your folded legs onto the chair base if you’re a criss-cross applesauce person like me.
Main Stacks’ big wooden chairs
If I’m not perched on the Music Library’s office chairs, I’m on the wooden chairs in Main Stacks. They’re big and sturdy, with plenty of space between the back of the chair and the desk in front of you. They’re what I would describe as a true minimalist chair — they’re just made of good old wood. However, when scootching in and out, the sound they make can be pretty grating because of their lack of wheels, especially in the pin-drop silence at Stacks. They can also make your butt hurt during long study sessions, so pro tip: For a butt break, there are some leather armchairs next to the spiral staircase on Floors B and C. Or if you need to get out of the basement, make your way right up above to Heyns Reading Room in Doe Library, which has some of the softest sofa chairs ever. If you need to nap, curl up with a book or just be horizontal, the armchairs next to the window in Morrison Library are the move!
Chemistry, Astronomy & Physics Library’s massage chairs
After climbing up the hill to Pimentel Hall, what could be a better way to rest your aching muscles than to get a free 15-minute massage? Well, your wishes might come true at this library in Hildebrand Hall, where they have massage chairs available to all students. With a multitude of settings and customization options available, you can alleviate whichever part of your back has borne the brunt of your study sessions. Keep in mind, though, these chairs sit at the front of the library, so people can see you while you’re getting a massage. Shoutout to my roommate for introducing me to these my freshman year; I’ve never once had to wait for one.
Environmental Design Library’s assortment of chairs
If you’re more of an unconventional chair person, go and try out the multitude of chairs in the Environmental Design Library, aka Wurster. These chairs are weird, wonderful and often very comfortable! The huge upturned half-spherical chairs at the back of the library are perfect for pondering, and if you need some horizontal time, the nearby wooden lounge chairs provide a quiet space for a nap. And if you wish to return to the world of normal chairs, your big wooden chairs await you just two steps away, courtesy of the Environmental Design Library’s commitment to chair chaos.
Finding your perfect chair is a task. But my neck and back thank me every day for putting in the work — and hopefully this guide saves yours the trouble.