Cafes in libraries-need pros and cons

For those who don't know, I am in school to become a librarian. I am working on an assignment for school right now and I am listing the pros and cons of a cafe within a library.

Please list as many pros or cons of cafes in libraries as you can think of

So far I think it will help revenue for the library. Keep food in designated places. Increase attendance at library programs.

Can you think of any other pros?

What about cons?

Thanks.

Re: Cafes in libraries-need pros and cons

You would need to hire more people to clean up the area people are getting messy.

You may have to replace books if people do not listen and bring food where they are reading.

Re: Cafes in libraries-need pros and cons

Re: Cafes in libraries-need pros and cons

-It might attract more people as a meeting place
-Might attract book groups and such if you can talk in the cafe area
-People will spent more time in the library
-People will be attracted to library maybe just for the coffee if it's a good cafe, and then be able to see events posted in the cafe and become more involved.
-Could become a safe teenage hangout
- May replace starbucks as a place where writers and other people go to do work.


Cons:
-Food/drinks spilled on books
-May create more noise
-May have the library lose its appeal to purists
-difficult to manage/logistics/less space for books
-Food brought to other parts of the library.hard to enforce boundaries on food
ETA:
-will need permit for food
-may introduce rats and bugs that are not only gross but can chew, poop on, lay eggs in and otherwise damage books

Message edited 2/12/2008 2:22:32 PM.

Re: Cafes in libraries-need pros and cons

I like the idea.

Cons:
- noise (so you might need a separate room for the cafe)
- need a food/health license to operate

Re: Cafes in libraries-need pros and cons

Pros:
-people will stay in the library longer because they don't need to leave to get coffee or food.
-very conducive to study groups


Cons:
- you are dealing with more trash than normally
-who deals with the cafe? an independent company?
-may have more noise with food wrappers and generally more people around
-damage to books/journals.

ETA: I think it depends on the type of library you have. In college we had a study library with copiers, computers, and tables to study. Here, the cafe was great! But if it is a place with periodical stacks and books, then it is more problematic. A public library could be more problematic because books are everywhere and can get damaged.

Message edited 2/12/2008 2:33:43 PM.

Re: Cafes in libraries-need pros and cons

So I posted something for my assignment but part of the class is the interaction with other classmates and commenting on their posts.

Keep the thoughts coming as I will add them and use them in the next few days.

Thanks!