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Rare Books: Fall 2025 Class Visits

Information on the holdings, organization, and access points of the Rare Books Library

Class visits occur either in the 3rd-floor Archives & Rare Books Reading room or in the lower-level classroom in Pius XII Memorial Library.

Directions to the Reading Room - Pius 307

The Reading Room is located on the third floor of Pius XII Memorial Library in Room 307. 

Directions from ATC (newer) Elevator:

This is the easiest route. Exit the elevator and walk straight ahead 18 feet, passing individual study pods on your left and an orange marble wall on your right. After the pods, turn left and continue 80 feet straight to the end of the hall where you will find the door to the Reading Room (Room 307).

Directions from Stairs:

Turn left at the third-floor landing and walk 25 feet. Pass through an open doorway and continue walking 40 feet until you pass between two study cubicles—one on your left and one on your right. After passing the cubicles, turn right and continue 55 feet straight to the end of the hall where you will find the door to the Reading Room (Room 307).

Directions from Circulation Desk (older) Elevator:

After exiting the elevator on the third floor, walk straight ahead 23 feet, passing lockers and trashcans on your right. When you reach an open doorway on your right, turn and walk through it. Continue straight for about 40 feet, passing between two study cubicles—one on your left and one on your right. After passing the cubicles, turn right and walk approximately 55 feet to the end of the hall. Room 307 (the Reading Room) is directly ahead.

Directions to the Lower-Level Classroom

The lower-level classroom is located in the basement of Pius XII Memorial Library. The classroom is enclosed in half-frosted glass and is accessed through a set of double doors.

Map of the basement of Pius Library with arrows indicating the routes to the lower level classroom

Directions from ATC (newer) Elevator:

This is the easiest route. Exit the elevator and turn immediately right. Walk approximately 18 feet ahead until you've passed the group study space on your right. Turn right and walk ahead 10 feet so that you are past the study couches but have not yet reached the bar-height table. Turn left and walk about 15 feet to reach the classroom’s double doors.

Directions from Circulation Desk (older) Elevator:

Exit the elevator and walk forward about 48 feet down a narrow hallway until you reach the bottom of the nearby stairs. Turn right and walk 25 feet to pass through a doorway. The flooring will change to carpet after the doorway. Continue straight approximately 50 feet, passing three group study couches on your left and a pillar on your right. Just before reaching the bar-height table, turn left and walk about 15 feet to reach the classroom’s double doors.

Directions from Stairs:

Upon reaching the basement landing the floor changes from carpet to linoleum. Walk straight 25 feet and pass through the double doorway. The floor changes back to carpet once you pass through the doors. Continue straight approximately 50 feet until you've passed three group study couches on your left and a pillar on your right, but stop before the tall, bar-height table. Turn left and walk about 15 feet to reach the classroom’s double doors.