[Sca-librarians] A question as regards libraries in general

[Lisa Tyson]

My academic library in Maine has included two places
to eat in the last 4 years. Food is (presumably) restricted
to those areas. 

Our faculty club was "homeless" after losing it's space
in the student union building. The library dean decided
to offer space to the faculty club (called the University club)
as a way to bridge getting them more involved and used
to coming to the library. The club serves lunch and runs
some special event dinner functions. Mostly it's a place
to go read the newspaper and chat with colleagues within
the library over a cup of coffee. 

On the main floor near one of the entrances one of the 
rooms was converted into a cafe. They serve coffee and
sweets. That room is always full all day long. It is open
to everyone and sees a good mix of students and other
staff (faculty, professionals, visitors) all day long. 

The library offers wireless laptop access for university
students and staff. There are quite a few who sit in the cafe
with their laptops and work. The same situation is happening
in the student union building right next door to the library
which also offers wireless connections. 

Until recently I worked at this campus library. The staff concerns
were that it would increase food problems in the library. I honestly
think it hasn't increased problems during the day or at night. 
When I've seen someone sipping on a soda pop in my area and had to
ask let them know that "food and drink wasn't allowed in this
area but they were welcome to take a break down at the cafe",
I've rarely had anything but a polite reaction. The grumpiest people
have been older patrons (faculty, older students).  

At night, the food and drink issue is a different matter because that's
when the student usage increases. They come to camp out for long
periods of time and work in groups together. Sometimes they bring in
things to eat. 

The trend is to want to encourage study groups and use of the library.
Making the cafe available gives staff a way to politely redirect people
to not eat at their cubicles/tables. No treats are allowed in the stacks. 
Staff are only supposed to have water at their desks and not eat 
(well, that's the theory).  

I don't think the inclusion of the food area has increased any of the vermin/pest
problem. The cafe and university club staff are very good about keeping things
clean and trash removed promptly. 

The presence of the club has definitely increased foot traffic through the library
(we have machines that tally people coming into/out of the library at the entrances). 
There aren't too many food problems in stacks that I've seen, and I've been
there as daytime staff and crawled the place at night when I was in grad
school doing my own work. 

I think the reluctance comes from staff who don't want to get into confrontational
situations with patrons.  Some of the staff I think selectively turn a blind eye to
some activities because they really aren't a big deal. Example: I'd tell the student
munching on the muffin in front of a computer that he can't eat there and redirect
him to the cafe.  I would nicely ask the student who just unloaded their backpack
with their lunch to just put their things away since they weren't actively eating
and were obviously engaged in reading/studying. And yes, the library has a big
sign at both entrances in 1 foot tall letters that say No Food Or Drink which
you practically walk into when you enter the building. 

Years ago I stopped going to this same library when I was a student because there
wasn't any place to go to eat. I started studying in the cafe section of the student
union instead and limited my time in the library. All I wanted was the ability to get
a quick snack break without fear of my stuff being stolen (or losing my
study spot). Now with electronic resources
so readily available as full text, libraries have to use alternate strategies to get
people in the door to use the space. Otherwise, you just become an electronic
resource center inside a warehouse.  What fun is that?

My impression was always that staff who had to "police" food activities were
the most vocal about their concerns. It only stems from their desire to do a 
good job in the eyes of supervisors, students they do enjoy working with, 
and for their own satisfaction that they've done a good job that day. 

I'll note that the food service areas at my university library are either tile or wood flooring.
Most other common use areas are carpeted. 

But, your mileage may vary at other libraries. Our campus serves about 12,000 students
(including evening students). 

Bryn Millar