new old stompin' grounds

The library at USU gives new meaning to the term "bookish" in the same way that the word "sexy" gave new meaning to the librarian. I've always been a sucker for 'em (libraries, not librarians). I enjoy "book dust" smell, quiet spaces and old newspapers. I've also been known to do the forbidden and pick up a book strictly because of its cover. Many adorn the shelves and tables in our home, and I honestly have no idea what's inbetween the covers; I just love the colors that decorate a good, meaty spine or grainy hardcover. Obviously, then, this photo brought me comfort:

So, here we go again. The Merrill-Cazier Library (could it be that Andrew's family is behind all this masterwork?) was such a completely and utterly cool surprise that we didn't know what to do with ourselves. We stumbled around, wide-eyed and stumped, wanting to hang out all day. Made us long for school in Logan so badly (hence the reference to grad-school yearning, though no USU school plans are in the works for us). We hope it does the same for you.

The exterior is a little Conference Center-like with all its concrete, glass and terracing. We entered from the east side; the previous entrance has transformed into a study hall, which explained our disorientedness. (Is that a word?)

I apologize for being too lazy to clean up these pics. Blogger's photo service is so archaic; it takes long enough just to get them to upload. But, if you can get past all that glare and unevenness, you can see that the entry hall is tall and glassy but not-at-all cold, despite the concrete pillars, thanks to textured wood paneling. It felt a little like a glitzed-down Trump Tower, or a smarter Snowbird.

Reading nooks-turned-platforms, mod seating and high-tech stations make studying so much more appealing ... and more cool.

See what we mean? Is it our tax money that covers stuff like this, seeing as it's the State university and all? I've never had much knowledge of that stuff--which also explains why Election Day is a difficult one for me. That "Get Understanding" bit has always been hard. Guess I'm just happy that Utah did something right with this building.