By: Asma Kazi
Explore the wonders of this historical library and how its haunting atmosphere remains a favorite spot for students.
From the classical late-19th-century Beaux-Arts style of the Wisconsin Historical Society to the cutting-edge 21st century design of Engineering Hall’s lobby, UW-Madison has no shortage of eye-catching study areas. So why do many students still choose to study in Memorial Library’s infamous cages?
UW-Madison’s Memorial Library, constructed in 1953, remains one of the oldest libraries in Wisconsin and houses some of the most extensive book collections on campus. Divided into three main sections—the North stacks, South stacks, and West corridor—it has evolved over decades to meet the changing needs of students.
The North stacks feature cages around the edges of the bookshelves and well-lit reading rooms with comfortable seating and large tables. The West corridor provides study spots similar to the reading rooms, while the South stacks, added in the 1990s, offer more traditional study carrels.
Carrie Kruse, Associate Dean for Public Services at UW-Madison libraries, highlights that Memorial Library’s design is particularly interesting because it never feels packed. Although it’s the second busiest library on campus, the carrels’ isolation and the wide distribution of study spots allows the library to always feel eerily empty.
While the library offers a range of study environments, it has earned a reputation as a place to “get stuff done,” Kruse jokes. “I get shushed more [from students] as a librarian than I’ve ever shushed people.”
Memorial Library’s priority is functionality, illustrated by its interior design. Specifically, Room 224 in the West Corridor was used for card catalogs until the library catalog system was automated. To fill the unused space, they placed temporary furniture for students to study, which later transformed into a permanent study spot.
The library embodies this idea of functionality over aesthetics with its most well-known study area: the notorious cages. Officially called the Memorial Library carrels, these compact, enclosed spaces, hidden amongst the stacks, contain only one wooden chair and table—often evoking strong, polarized opinions from students.
For Sofia Gasulla, a junior at UW-Madison, the cages’ isolation allows her to focus. While she sometimes feels uneasy in the cages, this motivates her even more. Gasulla compares the environment to scary movies.
“For some people [including myself] it could be like ‘ooh it’s creepy in here. I don’t like that. Let me focus on my work and get it done so I can leave,” she describes.
However, she also feels that the spookiness can be overwhelming at times. She mentions that
“a month ago, my friend was at Memorial Library and a bunch of books fell on their own … I haven’t been there since.”
Sofia Gasulla
Iqra Arif, a sophomore at UW-Madison, feels that the carrels are uncomfortable to the point that it reduces her productivity. She explains that the environment can sometimes be “too quiet” and that the cramped space “makes it difficult to focus and stay for a long duration.”
People’s preferences for study spaces often stem from how they focus best. Smaller, quieter spaces help some block out distractions and focus on their work, giving them a sense of control and calm. For others, livelier environments with more activity can feel energizing, providing background noise that motivates without being overwhelming.
Unlike its dimly lit cages, Memorial Library’s future is bright. Culturally, librarians are working hard to transform libraries in people’s minds into places that support collaboration and individual work. They hope to preserve its functionality while adding more inspiration to the environment.
Whether you choose to study in the cages or one of Memorial Library’s many other corners, its spooky charm and storied history offer a truly unique experience. Its eerie yet iconic atmosphere makes it more than just a study spot—it’s a rite of passage for every UW-Madison student.