#low library

In 1956, Pat Boone had a #1 hit single and rivalled Elvis in popularity. He was also living in New York and attending Columbia University's School of General Studies, where he majored in English and Speech and graduated magna cum laude in 1958. Here he studies on the steps outside Low Library (which is not actually a library but an administration building) on May 8, 1956. The cover of one of his books is from Salters, a big, dusty bookstore that specialized in Columbia course books and used books and closed in 1985.

Columns, Low Memorial Library, Columbia University, 1922.

I went to orgo and recitation today, mostly because we had a quiz, and while I bombed the quiz I’m not too worried because we get to drop two quizzes. I got out of recitation at 9 PM and actually walked home instead of taking the subway for once. The weather was nice and the city was quiet and dark and it felt like it was midnight. BookCulture, however, was still open, so I entered in search of something small that I could spend money on that wouldn’t harm me in any way (and by that I mean I didn’t want to spend it on food that I’d later regret--looking at u shake shack). I browsed their pottery and pins and general trinkets and wanted to just hold everything. I meant to leave soon but I got trapped within that nice envelope of warm light that bookstores usually provide at night. I sat on a small stool and read a cookbook for vegetarian recipes at my leisure, with zero commitment to reading it other than looking at the good food and feeling happy. They were playing some groovy music and I was just bobbing along and reading and an employee walked by at some point and I’m pretty sure they thought I was high by the time I left.

I then walked home but got sucked into Hex&Co which was also a vibe because they let you play board games for as long as you want for just $5. And there’s a cafe inside the place too.