Subject: Food and Drinks in the Libraries

Purpose: Establish Libraries Policy on Food and Drinks in the Libraries


DEFINITIONS

A public area is any area that is open to, or used by, patrons and other visitors to the Libraries. For the purposes of interpreting this policy, a public area includes any portion of staff area that is visible to patrons and visitors.

POLICY

No food or drinks are allowed in Music Resources, the electronic classrooms, or Hill Memorial Library except in the staff lounge or for approved events in the Lecture Hall. Drinks in closed containers are acceptable in all other areas. Illustrations of such containers are available at the entrance to Middleton Library. Food containers, wrappers, etc. should be disposed of, and if spills occur, patrons should notify library staff in order that it may be reported and cleaned up as soon as possible.

RATIONALE

Food and drinks are incompatible with the long-term preservation and maintenance of library materials. Care must be taken that accidentally spilled liquids do not get on library materials, or equipment. Food and drink not only cause direct damage that may be difficult and costly to repair, but also attract insects and other vermin that harm paper materials. Residue and trash from food and beverages (and the containers in they come in) also attract harmful pests.

EXCEPTIONS

Libraries' faculty and staff (including student assistants and graduate assistants) and others who work in library buildings (coffee shop, Facilities Services, Graphic Services, Information Technology Services, etc.) may bring food and drink into library buildings and carry them discreetly to non-public areas of the buildings. Staff should limit possession and/or consumption of food and beverages to the staff lounge and work areas.

ENFORCEMENT

Libraries faculty and staff are expected to assist in the enforcement of this policy whenever violations occur. Patrons in violation of the policy should be politely informed of the policy and asked to comply; uncooperative offenders should be reported to the nearest department head, or to the duty reference librarian, who will take appropriate action. Staff in violation of the policy should be reported to their supervisor. Patrons with unacceptable drink containers will be instructed to discard the drink or leave the building.