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The Old Library at Hartwell College

The old library stands at the end of a long path lined with maple trees. It is a two-storey building made of red brick, and its roof is covered with green tiles. Climbing plants cover one side of the wall, so in autumn the building seems to be painted in red and orange.

Inside, the main hall is quiet and cool. Tall wooden shelves reach the ceiling, and a ladder on wheels leans against each of them. The air smells of old paper and polish. In the middle of the hall, there are long oak tables with small green lamps. Students often choose the tables near the big windows, where the light is best in the afternoon.

On the second floor, there is a small reading room called the Map Room. It keeps more than two thousand maps, some of which are over two hundred years old. Visitors may look at them, but they must wear cotton gloves because the oil on human skin can damage the paper.

Although the building is beautiful, it has problems. The roof leaks during heavy rain, and the heating system is very old. The college plans to repair the library next year, but some students worry that the repairs will change the atmosphere they love. For them, the library is not just a place to study; it is a place where time seems to slow down.

Why must visitors wear cotton gloves in the Map Room?