Enjoy that candy bar?just don't make a mess.
A new policy implemented on Monday in libraries across campus?including Hatch, Hawthorne-Longfellow (H-L), and the Art and Music Libraries?now allows students to eat food within each space.
The new rule, which advocates that students "Enjoy Snacks, but Leave No Trace," was also coupled with the opening of a new vending café in H-L.
In a brief announcing the change on the library Web site, the library staff asked students "to be considerate, clean up after yourself, avoid messy foods, and report spills immediately to the Circulation Desk."
According to Associate Librarian Judy Montgomery, "Lots of credit must go to the custodial staff." Montgomery acknowledged that the new policy will likely mean extra work for them. Nevertheless, they have all been "very enthusiastic, wanting what is best for the students."
The new vending café in H-L, which opened last Friday, was made possible through a contribution by the Gerald M. Kline Family Foundation.
After the library received the donation, a group of library staff and college personal met to decide what to do with the funds. Instead of purchasing books, the group decided to allocate the funds towards something different for the students.
"Everyone was very excited about the idea," said Montgomery.
After agreeing to put the funds towards a vending café, staff from the library met with the Dining Service and Facilities to discuss the changes needed to implement the concept.
"We needed to consider the infrastructure of the building, such as power and facilities," Montgomery said. "The space [where the vending café is located] is a difficult one. It is very hot and there wasn't much Facilities could do to adjust the temperature."
So far, however, those using the vending café have generally kept the door open to cool the room.
Though general concerns have been raised over the potential for pest problems now that food is allowed in the library, Montgomery said she does not foresee any difficulty, provided that students are responsible. The library has only had pest problems in the past when students have attempted to hide food and then forget about it, Montgomery said.
"We are not going to allow take-out or messy foods to be brought into the library," she said. "If you are logical and clean up after yourself it shouldn't be a problem."
Students have been very receptive to the policy change, as well as to the new vending café.
"It rocks! I'm so excited," said Aaron Cole '11. "It's indicative of an overall move to a more liberal library atmosphere."
According to Montgomery, the library has also received a lot of positive feedback via its Facebook Group.