Suzzallo Library
Suzzallo Library
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
18 reviews
Excellent
13
Very good
4
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Bingbing007
Seattle, WA34 contributions
Nov 2019 • Solo
It is a landmark in University of Washiongton, you should never miss it if you have a campus tour.
Imagine you got magic power here, like Harry Potter, maybe, hah.
Actually, you can gain magic power with so many books, life is short, never late to start reading.
Written December 1, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rumples
Tucson, AZ11,770 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
I consider this building with its Collegiate Gothic architecture to be the most recognizable structure on the UW campus. It just oozes individuality outside when compared with the increasing number of modern structures here. Construction materials include sandstone, precast stone, terra cotta and brick beneath a slate roof. Figures in niches on the buttresses range from Moses to Benjamin Franklin. A series of shields depict coats of arms from prestigious universities worldwide, such as Oxford and Heidelberg.
But it is the second-floor graduate reading room that totally blows me away each time I go there. I half expect to run into Harry Potter because of the atmosphere. The Gothic-style room measures 65-feet high, 52-feet wide and 250-feet long. A timber-vaulted ceiling looks down on long, wooden study tables, which seem to stretch forever. Big church-type, leaded glass windows appear close to each other, starting above the stained oak bookcases and ending by the ceiling, appearing on two walls for the length of the room. They bring in natural illumination during the day, which adds to the artificial light provided just above the study tables and from a series of hanging lamps. Hand-painted world globes at both ends of the room give balance to the space.
My most recent visit occurred in August on a Saturday, so only a few students sat at the tables. At other times, I have seen only a few vacant chairs. Absolute silence prevailed as visitors respected the “Quiet Study Area” and “Quiet, please. No talking,” signs.
The Reading Room book collection is a browsing collection. Randomly shelved, the books can be read by students and visitors alike. But they cannot be taken from the room. I never did check to see if there were some Harry Potter volumes around.
But it is the second-floor graduate reading room that totally blows me away each time I go there. I half expect to run into Harry Potter because of the atmosphere. The Gothic-style room measures 65-feet high, 52-feet wide and 250-feet long. A timber-vaulted ceiling looks down on long, wooden study tables, which seem to stretch forever. Big church-type, leaded glass windows appear close to each other, starting above the stained oak bookcases and ending by the ceiling, appearing on two walls for the length of the room. They bring in natural illumination during the day, which adds to the artificial light provided just above the study tables and from a series of hanging lamps. Hand-painted world globes at both ends of the room give balance to the space.
My most recent visit occurred in August on a Saturday, so only a few students sat at the tables. At other times, I have seen only a few vacant chairs. Absolute silence prevailed as visitors respected the “Quiet Study Area” and “Quiet, please. No talking,” signs.
The Reading Room book collection is a browsing collection. Randomly shelved, the books can be read by students and visitors alike. But they cannot be taken from the room. I never did check to see if there were some Harry Potter volumes around.
Written August 7, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nazgul0306
Greeley, CO43 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
Then you need to stop in and check out the main stairwell and quiet-only library on the second floor as you will be transported to the Great Hall! The movie set was an almost exact replica of the library. We just couldn't figure out if the director or set designer or someone else was inspired by the library. In any event it was clearly an inspiration. The school definitely knows they are being visited for the library as they have a sign outside of the reading room referencing The Tri-Wizard Tournament. Worth the trip!
Written July 28, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PearBananas
Rotterdam, The Netherlands103 contributions
Nov 2017 • Friends
The Suzzallo library is beautiful, and has an inspiring atmosphere. I would recommend this place to anyone who wants to study, work of a project, brainstorm or get some coffee and take a moment for yourself. Inside the library, there are study spots, a Starbucks to get drinks, a bathroom, printers, and more available.
Written November 7, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
astaplet82
Dallas, TX796 contributions
Sep 2016
You could browse the books in the reading room for hours. On the one hand it was incredibly frustrating for me to see all the books with no rhyme or reason, but at the same time interesting to see what the next shelf held.
Written October 7, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tara H
2 contributions
May 2016 • Solo
What a gorgeous library, worth seeing but doesn't take much time to look at. Plan to visit either 1) in March when the cherry blossoms are blooming on campus or 2) when it's sunny, because the sun shining through the stained glass is wonderful.
Written May 15, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eva J
Moscow, Russia2,657 contributions
Jul 2018 • Solo
The reading room in this library is super photogenic. Amazing vaulted ceiling, stained glass, lamps, etc... Be quiet in this room.
Written April 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katie C
134 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
Many places inspired for the Harry Potter Movies, nice place to walk around the campus and get your dose of fangirling!
Written February 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Phi Somchai
Bangkok, Thailand3,719 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
This is an old library located in the U of Washington with a Gothic architecture. There are nice stained glass and carvings on the wall.
When you are standing here, it feels that you are transported to Hogwarts in the Harry Potter movie.
When you are standing here, it feels that you are transported to Hogwarts in the Harry Potter movie.
Written September 10, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michele Q
New York City, NY308 contributions
Oct 2016 • Solo
Such a lovely library! You really feel like you've been transported to Hogwarts. This is a quiet study area and whether you're coming in to do work or just to check the space out, you can pretty much hear a pin drop. There's an abundance of signs to remind you to be quiet as you make your way up the stairs and before you enter the room. Even with its lack of noise, I feel like I would be distracted by folks coming in and out of the room but plenty of students are in there, hard at work!
Written November 25, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is the library for students only, or is it open to the general public?
Written August 23, 2018
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