Such a beautiful library! I do wish their special collections and archives was open longer though. read more

See all

What a crazy cool library! We decided to stop on campus last minute before driving home through LA traffic, what a treat! The campus was sunny and beautiful, people were walking around, and soon to be graduates taking graduation photos around campus. Doheny is neat because of the library stacks and how far underground they go, it would be really fun to play hide and seek, just not in the dark! We would definitely return! read more

Doheny Memorial Library - USC grounds with Doheny in the background - Libraries Near Me - Los Angeles, California

During my freshman year, the majority of my floor mates in my dorm were cinema school folks. As a business major with a love of the arts, I enjoyed our late night conversations about topics like why the Lion King did not follow the traditional quest narrative or hearing about one of my floor mate's plans to double major in gerontology and some critical studies, and spent his career repeatedly reviewing Cocoon, On Golden Pond, and Batteries Not Included.... I know, I know, my sweet millennial friends have no idea what those movies are. Anyway, one of my own moments of "discovery" regarding film history, occurred in front of Doheny Library. Sitting on the fountain, I had a lightbulb moment, remembering that famous scene in the 1967 film, The Graduate. Not bad for a business major. Fact is, I can't walk into or pass this library without thinking about that movie. The library itself was built in 1932, named after a famous oil tycoon with a broken heart. It seems his son had died, and he wanted to do something positive. Of course, you wouldn't know that walking in there... But a couple of years spent as a tour guide gave me all sorts of useless Jeopardy information. Inside the library, there is definitely a historic, collegiate feel. Marble floors, and stained glass windows adorn large foyer. As many have suggested, the "stacks"that fill the lion's share of this library are narrow, poorly lit, and filled with more wonderful information than you could read in 100 lifetimes. Rumors of extracurricular activities and said stacks... Will remain rumors for the purposes of this review...... If you are a night owl like me, probably better to study at a different library like Leavey. But arguably, there is no prettier place on campus, and considering that when I graduated, I didn't sit far from that same location Dustin Hoffman graced in that film, Doheny represents beginnings and endings for me. Moreover, my forthcoming graduation from a doctoral program at the same location will be all that much more special. Fight on! read more

Doheny Memorial Library - Libraries Near Me - Los Angeles, California

First time visiting the festival of books and it was a success. Very organized and lots to see. Lots of booths, stages and events to see. We saw Josh Peck, Billy Porter and Michael Mann. Definitely bring the fam and have fun! There was plenty of parking and it was $14. read more

Doheny Memorial Library - Libraries Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I liked this library. It's an old-fashioned university library with a lot of resources. Students can work here part-time. It's a nice library, but a little bit haunted and daunting. read more

Doheny Library is one of the most recognizable places on the University of Southern California campus. The library is open to the public during the day for Internet access, study areas, and book reading, but you have to flash a USC or Alumni ID to access the building at night. While it looks big from the outside, Doheny is actually a lot bigger than you think, because it goes well below the ground via some scary, claustrophobic elevators that take you to a wealth of books. While there are regular books in Doheny, it's a university library, so you're really going to find a ton of academic journals inside that would be harder to find in other places. They do have a lot of fun books too, but chances are if you're going to Doheny, you're looking for stuff for school. If something isn't available inside, you can do an interlibrary loan online to get the book sent to USC, but it takes a few days, so that's not something for the "last minute" paper that you have to write. You can reserve books and things online through the HOMER system as well. The library is a little tough to navigate if it's your first time in there, but feel free to ask any of the students (I used to work there) wandering around if they can help you out. It will make your journey into the bookstacks (where many college students fantasize about having secks for some reason) a much more pleasant one. Also, 3 floors down, Doheny boasts one of the most dump-friendly bathrooms on the USC campus, even though it's a little scary to get there. Word is that the bathroom, while wonderful, is also a popular spot for cruising (which is when homosexual men urinate very far away from the urinal to signal that they are interested in partaking in intercourse, sometimes in the stalls), so take that for what it is. read more

This library is AMAZINGGGG! *transcending music* First if all...let me talk about the campus itself. You can just tell that it's a very wealthy campus due to plethora of fancy buildings, flag poles, and commercial signs that says USC on it. If you're confused as to whether or not you're on the actual campus, keep an eye out for bikers and pedestrians who don't stop for ANYBODY. I was driving and people were coming out from all directions of my car. Im driving? Nope, don't care. Still gonna bike right in front of the car. Hard to find parking. I was lucky enough to find street parking! Limited to 1 hour. It wasn't hard to find the library. It was a very large chruch-like building. Took my first few steps and felt like I just walked into Hogwarts school of Wizardry. It was a momentous moment. Very quiet library which I LOVED & APPRECIATED!! It was uncomfortable however walking down the aisles with my plastic bags carrying my chips, and my plastic lined cooler because with every step I took, it made a slight swishy sound ...and it echoed... it was a very very far and long walk. ... It's not surprising that I didn't end up eating my chips with the fear of turning heads with every crunch. Outlets were lined up against the walls, but they were only limited to 2 persons per table. This wasn't a problem, however because the place was so big, with at least 12 rows of tables in each of the 2 columns. Not many people seemed like they needed an outlet so I was just glad there was one available for me. Bathrooms were in the basement which is kind of creepy. I'm gonna be back here again. Thanks usc. read more

Doheny Memorial Library - Dohoney is amazing - Libraries Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Study in the stacks! Super quite, hidden Harry Potterish library. Cubicles line the outside walls behind all the books. The building looks like it only has 3 floors from the outside, but then you walk inside, go behind the reference desk and there are 7 floors in the middle of the building full of aisles and aisles of books. It is the absolute perfect place to study. read more

Doheny Memorial Library - Front of Doheny - President Obama spoke here as did John F. Kennedy! - Libraries Near Me - Los Angeles, California

See all

Gorgeous library on the USC campus, it has a number of different collections of stuff here, a Genocide and Holocaust Collection, an East Asian Library section and some rotating exhibits too. You do not need to be a USC student to study here, not sure about checking out their books though. They also have a free wifi as well. The only thing I didnt like about the library was that their bathrooms are deep in the basement, otherwise it's a lovely place to study or just to check out the fantastic architectural details. read more

Kudos #USC. I am a big fan of library tourism (#libraryschool #gradschool). Came across the gem that is the Doheny Library on USC's campus this past week, and I am doing everything I can to make this library my own (by that I mean I purchased a temporary card). Thank you, thank you, thank you USC. Now I have access to your wonderful collection and will not be forced to drive to my own inconveniently located campus. USC students should be proud. This is what universities and libraries are all about. Oh, I almost forgot this is supposed to be a review. Almost dropped one star for the hilariously cramped stacks, in which I found myself lost more than once, on separate floors; on second thought, though, the creepiness, and disorienting nature of the stacks only add to Doheny's character. (Not sure if this character comes across in my pictures--by the looks of other pictures, perhaps I should have spent more time reading in the reading room, as opposed to hours scouring the materials, but oh well.) So back to the rating calculus, I think we're still at 5 stars, and then the service I received from three librarians at the service desk was impeccable. Nicely done; can't wait to visit again. read more

See all

The library is easily one of the best spots at USC ! The main hall gives you a Harry Potter'ish like feeling with the decor and setup. Extremely peaceful and great place to sit down and read / study anything ! The place has several other interesting go-to areas like : 1) The Film and Movie exhibits in the floor below which you enter. 2) Currently there is an exhibit on Monsters including some really old and fascinating books on some of the classic scary men/women and creatures ! From Tolkien's book to several other intricate drawings on display and also life size models of Frankenstein; the place is like a museum in itself ! 3) There is a section on Genocide and Holocaust material in the lower section too. In short. Definitely visit this place and spend time here reading that favourite novel or solving your complex Fourier transforms ! read more

See all

A great alternative to study in if you don't like the Leavey atmosphere, which I definitely do not. It's always quiet and very easy on the eyes! If you want to be a little secluded from other people, try exploring the bookstacks in the middle of the library. There are NINE levels which have desks/tables on each floor that you can study at. There's something about studying in the middle of thousands and thousands of books that makes me THAT much more productive. (And trust me, I need that boost of productivity.) read more

This is the most beautiful library I have ever studied in. Like many of the reviewers before me said, the main study hall truly does have a Harry Potter vibe. Mix that with the USC colors and it looks like a hall made for Gryffindors. One thing to note is that the main study hall doesn't seem to have outlets so come with your laptop fully charged if you want to get work done here. Overall a fantastic library and I highly recommend you check it out. read more

Doheny is so much better than Leavey it's not even funny. The first time I walked into the main study room here I thought I was in Hogwarts; it looks like the main hall!! I really like the architecture, it is just really classic and beautiful. The bookstacks are a bit scary because it's easy to get lost down there in the winding corridors but it's amazing that there is so much information to choose from! I find Doheny to be much quieter than Leavey as well so when I need to go to a library this is definitely the place to go (^-^) PS. The East Asian Library which is located just to the left when you walk up the main stairs is AMAZING. Since I am studying Asian languages this place is perfect to find books, dictionaries and articles in Chinese, Japanese and Korean. So cool! read more

What does Ghostbusters, Die Hard 4, and The Graduate have in common? They were filmed here! Doheny is an amazing library, the grandeur of it all might overwhelm you for a bit but don't forget, you're in a library so this space is a prime study location. A tip for you is ask for help when you're wandering into the book stacks. It is very possible for you to get lost and a tad claustrophobic at how enormous this place can actually be. I always feel awesome for studying here, it just makes the USC academic experience complete when you sit down and crack open a book here. read more

Best study atmosphere on campus. Only negative thing is that they close their doors after 5pm on saturdays.... read more

Definitely starting to get the outdated feel, even for a library. There is a general study area that is pretty nice and people at least try to keep the noise level down. A lot less claustrophobic than Leavey. The book stacks are a lot more claustrophobic and you might see some things you might not want to see. Google Doheny Bucket List... read more

In terms of architecture and selection, this is probably my favorite library attached to campus. Ground floor is beautiful, old refinished woods and polished marble, and a few pews along the main halls to impress the touring parents of prospective students. They even kept the Dewey cards racked up for nostalgia's sake. I inevitably ended up here to check out books to read, and didn't mind doing a few crossover shifts since it was so convenient by McCarthy quad. It's much better organized than Grand right off campus, and really the only library where security is lax is Seaver. The underground stacks are cramped as others have pointed out, with typically two stations by the elevators for easy catalog access. Those lower levels give a sense of musty seclusion where a student drone can dream of paintball wars. read more

This is one of the most beautiful libraries I've been to. 3 stories and the outside is breathtaking! I sometimes forget that I'm there to study or research. read more

Best study atmosphere on campus. Book stacks provide the seclusion necessary for those with horrendous a.d.d. They has lots of books too. Only drawback is the hours are more limited than Leavey, but if you study during regular human being/non college student hours it is great! read more

It's really pretty inside and out! Obama spoke right in front of Doheny! I only came here to make copies...the worker was REALLY helpful! He helped us with the entire process...getting the copy card to actually making copies! Thank you! read more

Doheny is a great place to study. Very beautiful, and you can find it on the postcards sold in the bookstore. I think it is the most beautiful library in the campus. Of course you don't need a USCard if you come here during the day.But the school has a policy that from 9pm to 7am, the school will only be opened to the students and staffs only. read more

A beautiful library with an extensive collection both physically as well as electronically. read more

Doheny Memorial Library - Libraries Near Me - Los Angeles, California

See all

The most amazing library I have ever set foot in, outside of the state library in Honolulu, but as far as college libraries, this has been the best so far! The architecture of the building is AMAZING, it's so beautiful inside and out. I've come here several times for meetings at USC and such, but it still never ceases to amaze me. Though the basement level is kind of scary!! That's where one set of bathrooms are located, they don't have bathrooms located on every floor. I spent the most time in the East Asian collection. They amazing conference/meeting rooms that are very well decorated with wall scrolls and calligraphy. They keep a well stock of the history of all the Far East countries I can think of, including a collection of old maps of how they used to divide the countries up into! It's definitely a fun place to go even if you're not into reading or anything, just going to appreciate the beauty of what they have will impress anyone! read more

Doheny is such a beautiful campus library from the outside, you walk up those old worn steps to get inside and then see the different rooms to sit, read, study and interact quietly with each other. It looks very big from the outside but once you get in it really isn't. The stacks are cramped and scary. Make out stacks we used to call them. It also often very cold inside and every noise you make echoes acrosss the room like you shot off a shotgun. SHHHH! Ther are also lots of little hidden study rooms that even after years I didn't know about. The Frats/Soros knew about them as word spreads faster there that anyplace else but me being out of the loop I just didn't know. With the internet now, libraries are not as valuable for doing book searches as they once were but you can still do interlibrary loans or loans with UCLA if you really need something special. The librarians at Doheny are also really helpful and able to assist you with any questions or problems that you may have because SC has a great library department. You can go inside Doheny during the day if you are not a student but after dark you must be a student with a current student ID and if you try to get in forget it, you won't be able to because security is really tight now. Good, I like that fact. No kooks or psychos allowed. read more

As a Trojans myself, what reason can I possibly not giving a 5 stars for this ultimate Harry Potter style library! Only issue I have with this decent library is that the outlets are impossible to locate in the main study area, so charge your laptop before coming here! read more

I actually feel like a student when I come here. Although when I am awake at ungodly hours, I am tucked in a corner somewhere in Leavey because Doheny unfortunately closes at 8 :'( But for a change of scenery and better motivation (yes, atmosphere takes a huge part in determining how well I study...), I love frequenting Doheny, aka harry potter library, aka hogwarts. The only downside is that the main study room (Hogwarts main hall) doesn't have outlets for me to plug my laptop in, and the wooden chairs bruise my buttcheeks after several hours. Good thing they have a large couch for more comfortable seating and then for those 10 minute naps! There are other rooms in the library such as the East Asian Library and Arts corridor, all of which are neatly decorated with fancy walls and bookstacks! Oh yeah, and Obama gave a speech in front of this building. This library's legit. read more

This is a beautiful library. The main room is rather hogwartzy but having once been a bruin during my undergraduate career, it really doesnt compare to powell 3rd floor which just has a separate place in my heart. So far i like it much better Leavey, but they need to work on the outlet issue here. Overall a great place to study. read more

Doheny Memorial Library - From the outside - Libraries Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I've been going to study at Doheny lately as opposed to Levey (yuck). I like using the area where the journals are. (maybe I shouldn't give away my "secrets"). It is always super quiet. So quiet, in fact, that sometimes I feel bad breathing cause I fear I might be too loud. The decor is beautiful and that's definitely a plus to look at as opposed to the grey walls of other more modern libraries. Historically, it is pretty cool to know that former presidents have made speeches on it's steps. Including JFK (I believe as he was campaigning) and more recently, Obama. read more

Doheny certainly impresses, but I wouldn't study here. Browse the stacks, borrow your books, and get out. Then go study at Leavey. Too quiet, too austere. No opportunity to talk. Not the place to come with friends, and it's hard to focus given the lack of white noise, of distractions. read more

A great place to work and get some work done. Even in an Eden like this, my slothful ways in writing remains.

great place to get some serious work done! Seems like I can almost always find a quite space to settle into. just wish they were open later 5pm on saturdays.... read more

Doheny certainly impresses, but I wouldn't study here. Browse the stacks, borrow your books, and get out. Then go study at Leavey. Too quiet, too austere. No opportunity to talk. Not the place to come with friends, and it's hard to focus given the lack of white noise, of distractions. I only spent considerable time here once, and it was to do research. This is really more of a place for Ph.D. students who've lost any passion for school or life, and just want to get some work done. Not the right place for freshman. I give Doheny credit for the entrancing bookstacks. They feel like the 1950s, and they have everything. Lots of stuff you didn't expect, and you can walk out with half a dozen books to use in your research paper. The front has also been host to various special occasions, ranging from commencement addresses to presidential speaking engagements. I was fortunate enough to see President Obama speak here - an extraordinary experience. read more

Doheny Library always brings back great memories of browsing through the stacks. I will always be in love with this beautiful treasure. Fight on! read more

Gorgeous library, inside and outside. It feels like a time warp walking in there. There are libraries within this library and plenty of rooms to chose from. I often go into the stacks to study because it's warm and quiet in there. I've had plenty of naps hiding out in the stacks. I kissed a professor in the stacks too. Very fun read more

The beauty of Doheny is seriously inspiring when you're stuck under a mountain of work. Were so lucky to have a library as beautiful as this to spend our hours of torture in here at USC. If you wanna get away from the main rooms go up the second floor. There an ancient looking room up there with a view of of the fountain out front... Perfection. read more

My second home. Beautiful and amazing library. I was in awed when I first stepped foot in to that dream come true (I am a book worm). I love studying there which is a good thing because anywhere else I become distracted. very chill. read more