Do you think that there is a place for eating and drinking in a 21st Century Library?
Many libraries have now opened a social reading area where one can grab a cup of coffee, sit relax and read. What are your thoughts on creating a cafe your library?
Carnegie Research Commons in the JS Gericke Library at Stellenbosch University.
Agree that there should be a place for eating and drinking - something along the lines of a Starbucks area within a book shop - but a clearly designated area?
ReplyDeleteHow do you enforce that?
ReplyDeleteIt's about creating a culture, isn't it? Make the space inviting and collaborative...
ReplyDeleteThat's it! You've got to make them feel a part of the library, take ownership.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to do this in my library but I'm very limited with space. How can i create this place within my small library?
ReplyDeleteAlthough I love coffee, who is going to clean up? - Marion
ReplyDeleteI do not allow eating and drinking in the library as the area is often used as a convenient rubbish bin and i find sweet papers behind cushions, behind books and on the shelves. These girls are well aware of the hazard of littering but convenience always seems to be uppermost. Do we still want to keep on nagging?? - Marcella
Without being negative, I think that it is do-able, with the correct staffing.
Wonderful idea if your space allows for the cafe and you can separate the book area from the social space.
ReplyDeleteGreat - could hire a Vida E machine for a cosy corner. Would be especially lovely for rainy winter days!
ReplyDeleteWould be very inviting but I don't want to become an extension of the tuckshop! Suggest it could be offered to senior students, for particular occasions or in a designated area.
ReplyDeleteWho's going to become a shop assistant & dealing with money & selling coffee + all the tidying up!!!!! Let's look at the practicalities quite close & not be easily drawn into the new ideas that will end up our problem more than being a solution.
ReplyDeleteThis is a service that could be outsourced. In my environment's case, I would get the Tuck Shop people to agree to provide the service, of course undersome SLAs and give it a bash
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ReplyDeleteI'm in two minds about this, having tried the idea years ago and been left with the mess of heaters used for toasting cheese sandwiches, unwashed coffee cups etc. Practical problems killed my enthusiasm and so I don't think this is a feasible idea, as attractive as it sounds. Modern technological equipment is as sensitive to damage as books are.
ReplyDeleteSome teachers are calling for a more social space for students in the library. Maybe make it available to senior students or after 4pm for instance. The lounge area also needs to be separated from keyboards and cables.
ReplyDeleteIf there is space and it can be controlled, it would be great to curl up with a hot cuppa while reading or for groups like bookclubs etc
ReplyDeleteOur reading lounge has become an unofficial eating area in spite of my regular patrols. I don't wish to be a watch dog and wonder if we allowed eating, would the appeal be taken away? I have found dried up pieces of cake, packets of chips, sweet wrappers,and tins of Coke stuffed under the cushions and under the couches. On the other hand, do we want coffee spills and greasy fingerprints all over our books? = Pam
ReplyDeleteonly coffee can be allowed not food
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