[PADG:617] Re: cafes in Libraries

[Wes Boomgaarden <boomgaarden.1@xxxxxxx>]

Cathy,
   Since you asked, I feel free to offer this, and will brace
myself for the continuing thread that has been continued thoughtfully by
Jacilyn, Bobbie and Jeanne.
  All such library policies and practices are local, of course, and
fit into the culture of the campus or community.
   If I ran the place, I would suggest concentrating local food
and beverage control efforts in the special collections reading
and handling situations, where even incidental damage is serious and
costly.
  For general collection library areas, and all other reading
and learning spaces in this main future library facility, I'd suggest a
complete and total removal of restrictions and sanctions on the
consumption of legal beverages and food.  Libraries are changing
their focuses away from physical book-like objects to
"learning" and "learning objects."  
Learning is often enhanced by the consumption of favorite foods and
beverages.  (In fact, the tall cup of french roast I just consumed
is fueling some of these brilliantly-composed keystrokes.)
  I advocate that we use the very considerable efforts we allocate
on the enforcement of "no food, no drink" policies to redoubled
our efforts to clean up, haul away, and recycle the trash as frequently
as we possibly can for the best learning environment we can provide in
our libraries.  IPM is one part of that expense, perhaps paid for by
the cafe operator.
  Let's declare victory on this front and move on to better library
service and the considerable preservation work we have yet to do.
  Thank you.
  Wes Boomgaarden
  Ohio State University Libraries
 


  At 01:48 PM 8/12/2005 -0400, you wrote:

          Hello,

The University of Florida is remodeling its main Library and adding a 60,000 sq ft North Wing.  There has been discussion that a cafe be included.  I was hoping to get some information from Preservation professionals on this list who have cafes in their Libraries.

 

1.  Number of years with cafe in place:

 

2.  Is there a guard stationed near the door into the Library itself, attempting to limit food from being brought from the cafe into the main facility?

 

3.  Have you seen an increase or decrease in the number of volumes forwarded to Conservation/Book repair with food or drink damage? Or did it stay the same?

 

4.  Does your Library use Integrated Pest Management or do you spray pesticides to control insects?

 

5.  What else do we need to keep in mind if a cafe is placed in the Library, especially during the first year?

 

 

 

Please email me your responses directly and if there is sufficient interest, I will summarize for the list. 

 

Thanks,

 

Cathy Mook

Preservation Librarian

University of Florida

cmook@xxxxxxx

 

 

PS.  As I was sure we have discussed this topic on the list previously, I searched the ALA sponsored PADG archives using the word 'food'.  I got only 6 hits, none of which had anything to do with cafes.  I then tried a bunch of other food related terminology.  Again, limited success.  Has anyone got any advice for me re: using this particular resource?  Or do you have the same level of success I have when trying to gather data from the archives?