Ethnic Studies Library, 30 Stephens Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720, US

This elegant reading room off the north entrance to Doe Library is unique among West Coast schools and a jewel of the Berkeley campus. It replicates the library of a 19th century private club or wealthy family, complete with coffered ceilings, overstuffed chairs, Oriental rugs, busts, brass reading lamps and fine art. Art materials are available for checkout to Cal affiliates through Morrison's Graphic Arts Loan Program. Hundreds of fine art prints, including Hiroshiges, Delaunays and more, can be checked out for a semester for free, just like any book. Use of cell phones and laptops is forbidden in the library to preserve the old-school vibe, though guests are welcome to stretch out and snooze on one of the comfy couches. Distinguished poet and professor Robert Hass runs the Lunch Poems reading series, which features noted poets and is open to the public, as is a similar series that highlights prose authors.