I am a member of a 'Friends' group at my local library. I was somewhat dismayed to learn that our renovations will include an area for a cafe. Does anyone have a cafe in their library? Do you have a problem with spillage, damaged books, etc.

Some of my concerns stem from what I see at cafes in books stores, people reading new books at tables then leaving them, coffee stains and such. I understand that we want people to read and to use our local libraries but at what cost? Am I being a nervous (or negative) Nellie about this? <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Well, Vannie, considering that everyone I know heads for their local Barnes and Noble instead of their local library, when doing research, I'd say your library is merely looking to woo back the public. B&Ns have become the most popular 'public libraries' in this country! I know of people who park themselves on a B&N comfy sofa, for the better part of a day, and manage to read an entire book...Students may be seen at the cafe tables, sipping espresso, B&N book open at their elbow, laptop in front of them, working away. When work is complete, they depart the store, leaving the books they've referenced lying stacked on the table.

We have one in the "central" county library (downtown Portland, OR, the west side of the county). I usually go to one of the two regional libraries that are closer to my house, but I haven't seen much in the way of problems. Apparently it's also a decent source of income for the library.

I used to work for the county (but not the library) and I noticed that it was very nice for the library staff to be able to take business visitors to the coffee shop. (Of course, in general the county has cubicles or crowded shared offices or large meeting rooms only, so anywhere 4-6 people could meet and comfortably chat was popular with us staff.)

Realistically, any book I check out is likely to end up at the coffee shop or at home on the table next to (or under) my coffee cup and snack anyway. It's really only the reference collection you can protect, I'd worry about making sure the reference section isn't next to the coffee shop.

Julie

I think if a cafe was installed in my library, I would never leave. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

But then again, I live in Germany right now, and can't go to Barnes & Noble whenever I would like, so I would settle for anywhere where I can enjoy a chai and a good book.

And I don't ruin the books! They are sacred to me!

But I can totally understand your concerns about this. People can be very careless and damage the books.

Hi! I work part-time at a College taking care of our library and the books, and I've not noticed any damage to the books from drinks. At the college, the kitchen is only a few rooms from the library so you'll often see tea/coffee cups in the library. We've had missing books, but no books damaged by drink or food. Of course, if I do see a coffee cup that someone's left on a shelf I move it straight away so nothing happens. but the students are pretty conscientious in that regard.

I think the people who visit the library are there for a specific purpose and will not damage the books with drink; as opposed to going to a Starbucks etc. that's located in a bookstore. That's my two cents worth anyway!

[color:"purple"]Health, good luck and happy days to all! [/color] <img src="/images/graemlins/heart.gif" alt="" />

I think cafes in libraries can be a very good thing. I've seen libraries with cafes and wireless Internet access. It promotes the library as a gathering place for the community. Combining the cafe with the periodical section is a great way to go.

The problem with most bookstore cafes is that there is no central point to return materials. Of course, that's because they want you to buy the book or magazine. A library cafe can easily have a cart for returning materials that haven't been checked out.

Drinks and food should not be in the other areas of the library. It's too easy to leave that soda on the bookshelf and then it's knocked over by someone else.

My goodness, you all have been soooo helpful.<img src="/images/graemlins/heart.gif" alt="" /> and so positive.

I stopped by the library yesterday to take a peek at what is going on. I see that the cafe area will be in a corner. I have to admit that it looks pretty good. <img src="/images/graemlins/beamedup.gif" alt="" /> I am told that there will be a section in that area where we will have an on-going "Friends of the Library" used book sale.

Thanks much everyone, I am feeling so much better about this. I can't wait to see our new first floor.

There is a cafe in the downtown orlando library. It's not cheap but it's always being patronized. You have to keep the food in the cafe, though they have some tables just outside in the lobby as well. There are also soda machines throughout the library and have been for years. I guess if the soda machiens haven't caused a problem the cafe stuff won't either. I think more books are probably destroyed/forgetten at home than in the library anyhow.

Meg

I would love to have one. I often go to the library to research, since I"m a writer. It's a pain to go sit in an icy cold car to eat a frozen lunch so I don't have to stop and go home.

This is a pain. I've sat in my car near the University library with my laptop so I can use the wireless Internet and eat my lunch. It would be nice to have a cafe area. Then if I needed to run to the stacks I could do it quickly to check information.

The Saturday Wallstreet Journal had a great article about the changing face of university libraries.

I just wanted to stop by and tell everyone here that you were right and I was a doubting Vannie.

Our small library cafe area is lovely and clean. People can even buy chips, etc and soft drinks. I was happy to see the machines when I attended a meeting there and had forgotten to bring a bottle of water--I dashed over to the cafe area and bought water with meeting-minutes to spare

Wow! It sounds like you made your library a great place. I wish mine would get a cafe.

My library is talking about adding a small cafe area. There will be only vending machines, but it will be carpeted and there will be comfy chairs. I'm looking forward to it.

I'm all for it. It adds a bit of "hominess" to the library, and the library should get at least a little bit of revenue from the sales of drinks and such that would be beneficial.

Honestly - I'd be willing to bet that the larger book stares would be happy for it to, becasue now people will do their browsing in the library, and their buying in the bookstore (or at least that's the theory!