[Publib] Coffee in the Library

[James Casey]

Take a look at our Café - menu, photos, etc. - in the link below.  This is more like a mini restaurant than a coffee bar.  You can buy soup, sandwiches, fruit, drinks, pastries, espresso, etc..  They even do catering for programs in the Library.  I understand that Boston Public Library has a full blown restaurant and even offers afternoon tea at their main library.

http://www.thebookendscafe.com/

Of course, we are lucky enough to have the space and vendor who can deliver this kind of service.   If I didn't have these, I would probably do what you described below and go with vending and/or self-serve.   You are quite right that it is about offering an amenity to patrons rather than making money.  The days when public libraries would say No, No, No to patrons is fast fading --- no food, no drink, no cell phones, etc.. --  We need to find ways to say YES somewhere along the line.  We allow covered drinks in the Library.

James B. Casey --- My own views.
Director of Oak Lawn Public Library
ALA Council Member

From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Cat the librarycat
Sent: Monday, April 14, 2008 11:47 AM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: RE: [Publib] Coffee in the Library


Our set up is the same as this:



>We have a self-serve, brew by the cup machine. The staff takes turns filling

>the supplies. We charge $.75 per cup, tea or coffee. We got the machine from

>a local supplier for no rent as long as we buy the coffee/ tea from them. It

>is really more of a nice service for our patrons rather than a money maker.

>

>Andrea

>

>Andrea Berstler - Director

>

>The Village Library of Morgantown



We just put the self-serve in a week ago and it seems to be working well.

People can choose to brew coffee or tea (in several flavors, decaf or regular)

or hot chocolate. Prior to this, the staff brewed only a pot of regular coffee

and we charged $1.00/cup. People did not always pay.



Patti Newell

Assistant Director

Sullivan Free Library

Chittenango, NY 13037

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