New table lamps installed in Austin Flint Main Reading Room

by UB LIBRARIES

New table lamps installed Dec. 31, 2025, cast a brighter glow across the Austin Flint Main Reading Room, enhancing the atmosphere of one of the Libraries’ most distinctive and storybook-like spaces while preserving its historic character.

Located on the second floor of the Abbott Library, the Austin Flint Main Reading Room is known for its hand-carved woodwork, ornate chandeliers and quiet study atmosphere. Its dramatic design has earned it an informal nickname among UB students: the “Harry Potter Room.” 

The previous table lamps in the reading room were beginning to fail, and replacement parts were no longer available. The newly installed lamps are banker-style lamps with adjustable alabaster glass shades. Their translucent, marbled glass provides brighter, more even light across the tables, responding to a frequent student request over the years.

The update maintains the elegant look and feel of the reading room, which dates to the building’s 1930 construction, while improving functionality for students and others who use the space for extended study and research.