Bobst Boy

Bobst Boy is the nickname of Steven Stanzak (born January 25, 1984), a New York University student who spent eight months living in the basement of the school's Bobst Library from September 2003 to April 2004.cite web | publisher = BBC News | title = Broke student 'slept in library' | date = April 28, 2004 | accessdate = 2008-04-02 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/3665885.stm]

Before becoming a Bobst Library resident, Stanzak was an ordinary student living off loans and part-time jobs, without financial assistance from his parents. In September 2003, he found that his NYU scholarship, four jobs, and private loans would be able to cover his tuition costs, but he could not get enough loans to cover housing. He refused to drop out or transfer to a cheaper school, choosing instead to live in the library.citation | first = Karen | last = Arenson | newspaper = New York Times | title = Yes, Some Students Live in the Library (But Not Like This) | date = April 27, 2004 | accessdate = 2008-04-02 | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/27/nyregion/27NYU.html] cite web | publisher = East Carolinian | title = It's your typical 2 a.m., winter 2002 | date = April 12, 2005 | accessdate = 2008-04-02 | url = http://media.www.theeastcarolinian.com/media/storage/paper915/news/2005/04/12/Opinion/Its-Your.Typical.2.A.m.Winter.2002-2210390.shtml] Stanzak quickly got tired of answering peoples' questions about life in the library, and posted a Q&A online. The Q&A eventually grew into the blog and web site, and Stanzak developed an underground fan following on NYU's campus.

The Washington Square News, NYU's student paper, was told of Stanzak's situation and asked to do a profile on him. At first Stanzak refused fearing how NYU would react to the situation. However, once Stanzak was told that the article would only be printed with his consent, he agreed to do an interview. In April 2004, just before the release of the news article, an NYU dean was told of Stanzak's situation, and requested a meeting. At the meeting, the dean told Stanzak that his initiative was remarkable, but that he could no longer live in the library, and Stanzak was provided free NYU housing for the last few weeks of classes.citation | last = Palsson | first = Nils | newspaper = Washington Square News | title = Ousted Bobst Boy gets dorm | date = April 26, 2004 | accessdate = 2008-04-02 | url = http://media.www.nyunews.com/media/storage/paper869/news/2004/04/26/UndefinedSection/Ousted.Bobst.Boy.Gets.Dorm-2389828.shtml] The day the profile was published, reporters started calling Stanzak, and he became an overnight celebrity.citation | last = Chung | first = Jen | newspaper = Gothamist | title = Living at the Library: The Bobst Library's Tenant | date = April 27, 2004 | accessdate = 2008-04-02 | url = http://gothamist.com/2004/04/27/living_at_the_library_the_bobst_librarys_tenant.php] citation | first = Karen | last = Arenson | newspaper = New York Times | title = Page Two: April 25-May 1; Reading Oneself to Sleep | date = May 2, 2004 | accessdate = 2008-04-02 | url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B07EED8123DF931A35756C0A9629C8B63] Stanzak received widespread media attention, appearing on "Good Morning America" on April 29.cite web | title = NYU Student Caught Living in the Library | date = April 30, 2004 | publisher = American Library Association | accessdate = 2008-04-02 | url = http://www.ala.org/ala/alonline/currentnews/newsarchive/alnews2004/april2004ab/bobstboy.cfm]

Stanzak continued to receive financial assistance from NYU, until graduation, and no longer updates his blog or web site. After his time spent in the library, he became an RA at NYU's Lafayette Street Residence, in Chinatown. He is currently attending Indiana University, pursuing a graduate degree in folklore which he began in fall of 2006.

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