Foster Business Library Group Study Rooms

Overall Rating: 8/10

Atmosphere: 6/10 - Private rooms (reservations online), each with an LCD screen and whiteboard. Floor to ceiling windows into the library let in natural light from the library's giant skylight.
Chairs: 7/10 - Padded, decent back support.
Natural Light: 7/10 - Even though it doesn't have a window to the outside, there is lots of natural light from the skylight.
Electrical Outlets: 10/10 - Multiple outlets in each private room.

Other Notes: This is in one of the new business school buildings on north campus. I fully expect this library and its study rooms to start getting more popular once more people find out about this place. The very best room is study room #9. It is big, it's on the lower level, and has awesome chairs. #10 is also good, since it has the same chairs, is also on the lower level, but is smaller. One bad thing: rooms 1-8 are on the upper floor of the library, which means you have to go across the library, down a flight of stairs, across the library again, and then up more stairs to get to the bathroom.

HUB, near Freshens Juice Bar

Overall Rating: 6/10

Atmosphere: 5/10 - Vending machines, smoothie bar, windows on 3 sides.
Quietness: 4/10 - This is a social setting, but is fairly quiet before 10:30, when the lunch/study crowd starts piling in.
Chairs: 6/10 - Plastic, but good back support b/c it's the kind that can bend back a few inches.
Natural Light: 9/10 - Room surrounded by floor to ceiling windows on three sides, but the eco-friendly window shields that go up in the day often block a lot of the direct sunlight.
Electrical Outlets: 3/10 - Have to get one of the three tables next to outlets in the SW corner of the room.

Other notes: Get here before 9:30 if you want a chance at one of the three tables with an outlet. Get here before 9:15 if you want one for sure. Undergrads are either asleep or in class before 9:15.

Health Sciences Library, Bottom Floor, NW corner

Overall Rating: 7/10

Atmosphere: 5/10 - Library with windows. Surrounded by the medical dummies.
Quietness: 7/10 - No talking in this area.
Chairs: 7/10 - Quite comfortable. Mesh back, padded seat. A bit too short for the table.
Natural Light: 7/10 - Large windows at the end of the room.
Electrical Outlets: 8/10 - Available at most tables.

Other notes: I hadn't been in here since they redid the study areas. The new chairs, tables, and additional electrical outlets really make this place better. Plus, they dealt with the heater so it isn't 58 degrees anymore.

Seattle Team wins US Curling Nationals

Fifty or so curlers showed up at the RAM (a WA bar chain) to cheer on the team. Imagine the looks on the other patrons' faces. They thought they were being punk'd.

Odegaard Group Study Rooms

Overall Rating: 6/10

Atmosphere: 3/10 - Interior, private rooms. Reservations available online.
Quietness: 4/10 - There is construction throughout Odegaard (2013).
Chairs: 8/10 - Good back support, adjustable height.
Natural Light: 0/10 - Interior rooms.
Electrical Outlets: 10/10- Available in the room.

Other notes: If it weren't for the construction, this place would be great, mostly because of the chairs.

Allen Library South, "1st Floor" (By any US metric, it would be called the 2nd floor)

Overall Rating: 5/10

Atmosphere: 5/10 - Library with big windows.
Quietness: 7/10 - Library area with minimal talking.
Chairs: 2/10 - Made of wood. Bad back support. Hard seat.
Natural Light: 10/10 - Light on all four sides, where the tables are.
Electrical Outlets: 8/10 - Available at most tables.

Other notes: Best in the early morning, before the undergrads get there.

Suzzallo Reading Room

Overall Rating: 4/10

Atmosphere: 7/10 - Cool room.
Quietness: 8/10 - No one talks. Lots of traffic, though.
Chairs: 2/10 - Made of wood. Bad back support. Hard seat.
Natural Light: 4/10 - Natural light only through stained glass that are too high to reach the tables.
Electrical Outlets: 0/10 - Not available.

Other notes: The chairs will make your back hurt, and you can't plug in your laptop.