This is not a comprehensive list, but it will get you started on finding some places to study. Explore the area for yourself, break your routine and find your own favorites. If you find a terrific spot, let me know!
On-Campus Areas:
Glickman Family Library
207.780.4270
Mon-Thur: 8–6
Sat:10-6
Sun:10-10
An obvious choice and one of the best places to study on-campus. The choices of study areas are splendid: the quiet seventh floor reading room, which has a terrific view of Back Bay; the comfy lounge area on the sixth floor; the snack room on the fifth floor, with its small side-room for groups; and the computer lab area on the third. Beyond the physical spaces, studying at the library means you have terrific reference material at your fingertips, those funky, yet comfortable ‘studying’ chairs and terrific coffee, 50 cents in the snack room.
The Learning Center
207.780.4228
Mon-Thur: 8-7
Fri: 8-4:30
A great place for group studying, you can often walk in and ask to use one of the private study rooms, but it helps if you call to schedule beforehand. The Learning Center is located above the computer lab in Luther-Bonney Hall.
Student Senate Offices
11 Baxter Blvd.
207.228.8501
Mon-Fri: 9-4
A spacious place with rooms with couches, conference areas with plenty of table, offices with desks and is quite quiet. Most of their big meetings are on Fridays, when it fills up a bit. If you want quiet and privacy on any other day, 11 Baxter’s the spot for you.
Food Places:
Casco Bay Books
151 Middle St.
207.541.3842
Every day: 10-11
Although they don’t have too many big tables, CBB has a wireless connection (ask an employee for the password), good coffee and an interesting selection of books.
The Portland Public Market
25 Preble St.
207.228.2000
Mon-Sat: 9-7
Sun: 10-5
There are plenty of tables here-you can always claim one for yourself. The tables upstairs are great, but also check across from Stone Soup on the first floor; there are some small tables that get lots of light in mid-afternoon.
Granny’s Burritos
420 Fore St.
207.761.0751
Sun-Thur: 11-10
Fri: 11-late
Sat: 11-midnight
Huge tables and is usually not too crowded. Not to mention amazing, huge burritos for about six bucks. Try not to go in right around lunch-time because it gets too crowded.
Funky Places:
Casco Bay Ferry Lines
Bottom of Franklin Arterial
207.774.7871
www.cascobaylines.com
Take a ferry out and back to somewhere, beautiful view, terrific for reading and when you get out there you have the option of wandering a bit before going back. A roundtrip ferry is six dollars and up. The price will go down on October fifth to three dollars and up. A ferry out to Peaks is about 20 mins long.
Portland Museum of Art
7 Congress Sq.
207.775.6148
Sat-Thur: 10-5
Fri: 10-9
Free for USM students with their ID. Great place to study. Head downstairs, you can have table space and you’re able to work undisturbed. If they haven’t left the caf? tables set up, there isn’t much in the way of lumbar support. If you have a bleacher chair, that has a folding back, you may want to bring it.
Joanne Waxman Library:
Maine College of Art
522 Congress St.
207.775.5153
Mon-Thur: 8-8
Fri: 8-5
Sat-Sun: 12-5
Free to get into, often doesn’t have anyone in it and has some neat art books. If you want to be able to take them out a membership is only 25 dollars. It’s on the second floor of the Porteous building and is a magnificent study space. It also overlooks Congress Street so there is plenty of opportunity for people-watching.
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