Student Spaces

Harvard Medical School offers a variety of spaces designed to support students’ academic and personal needs. From libraries and study rooms to lounges and game rooms, our campus provides many options for studying, collaborating, or taking a break.

Libraries and Study Rooms

Countway Library

One of the largest medical libraries in the world, the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine serves as a resource in clinical medicine, the biomedical sciences, dentistry, and public health.

In Countway, students can find individual and collaborative study rooms or visit the Russell Reading Room, a designated quiet study space with several large tables, comfortable seating, special collections, and reservable study rooms.

Make a study room reservation at Countway Library, or visit any other Harvard library.

Countway also offers:

  • Meditation Room (second floor, within the Russell Reading Room), a private, quiet space where students can pray and meditate. The room is equipped with comfortable seating, prayer mats, a shoe rack, and soft lighting.
  • Pet Therapy Area (first floor, near Shattuck Street entrance), a designed area with rounded couch seating to interact with Countway’s therapy pets.
  • Game Room (second floor), equipped with a Nintendo Switch and games. Make a Game Room reservation.
  • Makerspace (first floor), furnished with an Anatomage Table and a 3D printer.

Tosteson Medical Education Center

Known on campus as “TMEC,” this building includes:

  • The Student Study and Collaboration Center on the second floor, a 4,700-square-foot center including a “living room” area, a classic library reading room, quiet spaces, group and individual study rooms, various seating options, a fireplace, and large windows. There is a printer, scanner, and copier, as well as a nearby vending area with microwaves, snacks, and coffee.
  • The Computer Resource Center, also on the second floor, with computing space for both individual study and group collaboration. There’s also an information technology service desk available for walk-up support.
  • Throughout TMEC, there are small classrooms (known as “Tutorial Rooms”) available to students for day-of reservations for personal or group study. Schedule a tutorial room through Room Scheduling.
  • On the fourth floor of TMEC is the Harold Amos Student Lounge, a study lounge with a kitchen area.

Athletics, Outdoor Spaces, and More

Vanderbilt Hall

  • The Athletic Facility at Vanderbilt Hall is open for membership enrollment to all of HMS, with access to basketball, soccer, squash, and tennis courts; exercise and fitness rooms; and lockers.
  • Located on the first floor, the Joseph B. Martin Lounge is a student lounge available 24 hours a day with a TV with DIRECTV, audio equipment, lots of seating, and a Steinway grand piano. Make a JBM Lounge Reservation in Vanderbilt.

Lactation Rooms

Harvard provides more than 50 formal lactation rooms across the University. These lockable rooms are often equipped with comfortable seating, a sink, a changing station, and a Medela pump. Pump accessories must be provided by the user.

Outdoor Spaces

  • Countway Community Garden, a patio alcove with raised garden beds that hosts community events throughout the growing season.
  • Countway Huntington Avenue Plaza, an area with benches and green-lined steps for the enjoyment of the public.
  • Harvard Chan School Courtyard, a large patio with tables and chairs that often hosts communal events and concerts.
  • The Quad, a spacious green space in the middle of the campus featuring a grand lawn surrounded by patio seating options.
  • Seeley G. Mudd Courtyard, an intimate patio setting with tables and chairs and bike racks.
  • Vanderbilt Courtyard, a private courtyard with a tennis court and seating.