By Margaret Teague
Staff Writer

Although helpful, the Beatley Library at Simmons College is a downer. Yes, in this quiet space resources are offered along with technological support, helpful librarians, and more computers than one can count, but where is the inspiration? From its white walls and few comfy chairs to the stuffy feel and dry air, the Beatley Library is a wasteland for creativity. Here are five killer places in Boston where you can work productively, and find unparalleled inspiration no matter what your subject matter.
Located across from Forever21 on 338 Newbury St., an incentive to get work done in time for some afternoon shopping, is Trident, a charming two-level coffee and gift shop. Yes its symbol is that of the trident from The Little Mermaid. Its delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu isn’t the only appeal from Trident; it also carries gifts. Comical cards, witty mugs, coasters, calendars, magazines, and planners are only several of the eye-catching items sold in the back corner of the store among the books.
Similar to Trident’s menu, its magazine selection runs the gamut in terms of variety. Cosmopolitan, Yoga, HouseBeautiful, Women’s Health, Skiing, US NEWS, and TIME are only a few hot magazines Trident offers.
“This place is so cute. I love the cards. I walked by and thought they were adorable. I love the book selection here. I find things I wouldn’t find at Barnes and Nobles,” said Simmons first-year Maddae Rhee.
“It’s just a good place to get lost in books and find some inspiration,” said Robin Stuart.
At Trident many students are seen on their laptops or sharing a meal in one of the several booths.  The feel of the restaurant/bookstore is sophisticated yet comfortable.
As if its unique gift section and menu weren’t enough, its book selection is immense, but not overwhelming. Travel, anthropology, religion, philosophy, cooking, parenting, children, and mystery are all topics of books available.
Pavement, location number two, is for the laidback hipster, or wanna-be hipster. In 2012 Pavement was named “Boston’s Best Coffee House” in Boston Magazine. Located on 96 Boylston St., it is in the heart of the Berklee College of Music campus, and its patrons are almost all musicians. Based on the clothing style of its customers, it seems that creativity and self-expression roam freely in this place. From the occasionally puzzling clothing choices of the people to its white and red brick walls and random retro chairs, Pavement seems to breathe individuality, imagination, and a straight-up hippie attitude.
Most customers are of college age and can be seen at a table with headphones and a laptop. Eclectic music is always playing, nothing that can be found on a Top 40 radio station. Students comfortably rest their feet on chairs and slouch back.
“This place is pretty cool. It’s chill, definitely. I used to come here with my friends and a computer,” said Berklee student Matias Rengel.
“We have a really fun, outgoing staff. It’s an upbeat environment,” said Pavement employee, Jonathon Chau.
Care for something more sophisticated? The Boston Public Library at Copley Square is what you need, leading us to our third study spot.
From the moment of entering the library, most are struck by the tall ceilings and beautiful architecture.
There are several study halls, one that is quiet and one that is silent. The silent room is where mostly college-aged students can be found with their laptops, which, helpful tip, can be charged underneath the tables.
“The library is very quiet. There’s definitely a lot of younger people who are college age, but also people in their 40s and 50s,” said Collins.
In the middle of the library is a courtyard. In the center of the yard is precisely-cut greenery. It engulfs a delicate fountain, circling a tall, black statue of a woman. Around the greenery are many small, black tables fit for two. Along the walls are gorgeous, white beams, truly marking the courtyard with class.
“What a sophisticated café,” mentioned an older woman passing by.
“I love this courtyard area. I love the fountain, it’s very peaceful,” said young entrepreneur Trevor Collins.
Events are held Monday through Saturday and include teen nights, computer training, English classes, guest authors, a film series, and even the occasional free jazz concert.
“The moment you get here you don’t want to leave,” said Buns, a security guard of nearly 17 years.
Next is the Brattle Book Shop, located on 9 West St. The unique shop is one of the largest antiquarian bookshops in the country. This bookstore is very rare. In the shop are over 250,000 books, maps, prints, and postcards. Many of its books are sold outside, oftentimes without the supervision of an employee. In this case employees trust that customers will abide by the honor system.
Inbetween two tall brick buildings are nearly 20 shelves of books, mostly ranging from one to ten dollars in price. On one side of the brick building are black and white paintings, roughly two foot by two foot in size. Booming, ten-foot book shelves line both walls. Their are paintings of, to name a few, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Frana Kafka, and William Butler Yeats.
The three-floored building consists almost entirely of book shelves, with few chairs. The used books and obvious history give a charming feel.
Book sections consist of science fiction, mystery, literary criticisms, religion, military, transcendentalism, health, history, and more.
“You want to read when you are here. There are a lot of old books. My brother loves older books so I am buying one for him,” said Jasmin Schwanke, a student studying abroad.
On the wall on the way up to the second floor are cardboard blown up photos. The pictures are representations of different specialty items in the store, sold and unsold. Featured was an advertised, original photograph of Abraham Lincoln, sold for $75,000, and an original photo of Gandhi, sold for $3,000.
When a manager was asked about their highest priced item, she immediately became upset and annoyed. “That’s a really stupid question,” she said.  She cared much more about the content and quality of a book or piece than the price.
On the third floor are the most rare and antiquarian books. Though there are not many chairs to sit, this authentic bookstore will give you the inspiration and motivation you need to continue being productive.
Finally, we conclude with the Equal Exchange Cafe. Located on 226 Causeway St., the café is perfectly tucked away between the North End and the TD Garden.
According to their website, they “support local independent businesses to provide fresh pastries and healthy, light lunch offerings.”
The Equal Exchange Café imports and roasts organic coffee. The café makes a conscious effort to be environmentally responsible. Even the café’s furniture is reclaimed wood. All employees and customers compost and recycle.
High behind the counter top reads the Equal Exchange Café’s mission: “To build long term trade partnerships that are economically just and environmentally sound, to foster mutually beneficial relationships between farmers and consumers, and to demonstrate through our success the contribution of worker cooperatives and fair trade to a more equitable, democratic and sustainable world.”
Café workers are passionate about humanitarian issues and care about social justice, especially on issues surrounding coffee.
“Working here makes me feel like I am making a difference, because just by wearing the company T-shirt and representing our mission, I am,” said employee Emilie Mielbye.