Speak Softly and Carry a Big Mug

Kristin Kloberdanz

The shiny, multi-tiered mega-bookstores of the '90s brought the charismatic combination of books and coffee to middle America's public table. Places like Starbucks have replaced the smoky dens of coffeehouse lore. Borders and Barnes & Noble let us know that books and coffee go together and are, in fact, quite a trendy match these days. It is a combination that can be enjoyed in almost all public arenas; except in the public library. Times are changing.

Coffee, whether to allow it or not, is currently an issue addressed in library board meetings across Chicagoland. Small in-house cafes, "muffin and mug" carts and vending machine lounges are a few of the answers to the coffee question. Does coffee, and the accompanying crumbs, belong in a library setting? Librarians tend to disagree. Some say it is a wonderful way to promote the library; others say it is a mess inappropriate in a tax-supported institute. All say their patrons have been requesting this service.

Every other Friday night in the Barrington Public Library, the 200-seat meeting room turns into a coffeehouse, complete with folksingers, jazz and blues musicians, sofas, coffee tables, cookies and, of course, plenty of free coffee. This is Barrington's response to the onslaught of glossy new bookstores in the area, said head librarian Barbara Sugden.

"It's a real coffeehouse setting," said Sugden. While the library was building its expansive addition about two years ago and unable to offer the public any programs, Sugden said. Borders and Barnes & Noble were on the rise.

"We took a look at them and asked 'What is it that they do that's so popular?' We zeroed in [on the coffee scene] and established a date night kind of setting. It's been very popular."

Although most libraries offer light food and beverages during special programs, as Barrington does for its "Coffeehouse Series," the coffee question is difficult during the library's regular hours. Unlike most academic or specialized libraries, public libraries traditionally post signs that ask patrons to keep their snacks outside or in the lobby. These days, this is a rule being questioned more frequently than ever before.

Carol Hubert, head of reference at Cook Memorial Library in Libertyville, said people no longer heed the "no food or drink" sign posted outside the building. Two new coffeehouses are located down the street, making it tempting for patrons to wander into the library, steaming cups in hand.

"We've been against this because of the mess it creates," Hubert said. "We stop them [from sneaking coffee into the library] but some get really upset. It's getting harder and harder to enforce the rules that people think are just arbitrary or silly."

Those who are against libraries serving coffee agree that the mess is a great part of their argument. But many add that the mission of libraries is not to act as an accessible snack bar. Rather, a public library has a responsibility to serve the public's literary and informational needs.

Director Neil Ney at Evanston Public Library said that when the new library was built in 1994, the board never discussed the possibility of a coffeehouse-type atmosphere.

"There is no shortage of places in Evanston for people to buy coffee," Ney said. "I don't see why a tax-supported place like a library would do so when there are businesses out there trying to make a living."

Most libraries, including Cook Memorial and Barrington, are trying to stick to the "no food, no drink" rule, but are looking ahead to a time when they may have to create a space for some sort of patron lounge. Many, in fact, are using coffee shops as a marketing ploy to introduce new patrons to their facilities.

Pat Losinski, director of Warren-Newport Library, said he hopes to open a "high quality coffee shop" off the lobby of their new library, which will open in approximately five months. He said the ideal plan at this point is to hire an upper-end vender like Starbucks to run the shop.

"We've had a lot of calls [concerning the project]," Losinski said. "The community is really excited."

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"People think coffee and books won't mix [in a library setting], but people do read while they are eating. We did a lot of brainstorming. We toured libraries and bookstores like Barnes & Noble and Borders. These bookstores are kind of taking libraries' bread and butter by being open later and providing amenities in their establishment."

"If we have the shop, it will be located in the lobby area where the public will have access. I think it's great marketing for the library."

Losinski said "if the shop is approved, there are tentative plans to open it early in the morning before the library officially opens. Reading materials will be available inside the shop, but patrons will not be allowed to bring materials in or take coffee out into the rest of the library."

All librarians agree with this last point. If libraries eventually provide coffee and snacks for patrons, this service must be limited to one room to protect the libraries' materials and computers. With the continuous growth of materials, it can be difficult to find space for a food area, especially if building a new library or an expansion is not in the budget. Also, the maintenance of these areas takes time, money and extra staff. Libraries are experimenting with different solutions to this problem.

In August 1994, the Harold Washington Library in Chicago opened a local franchise coffee shop called "Uncommon Ground" that has been successful among both patrons and library staff, according to store manager Jim Porter. The shop, which is separate from the rest of the library, opens about half an hour before official library hours and sells espresso, coffee, juice and baked goods. Customers can enjoy their snacks at the cafe's tables, but a guard is posted at the door to make sure the food and coffee remain inside.

The Arlington Heights Public Library is one of the few libraries in the area that for several years has allotted an area as a public lounge. In the late '80s, this lounge was complete with coffee, tea, hot chocolate and pop machines as well as a candy machine. When the library ran out of space, the lounge was removed. Patrons were disappointed, so when the addition was built in 1995, a small lounge was created. This time, though, patrons are given a 15-minute time limit; no food is allowed and no library materials are allowed into the room. A receptionist sits outside the stark room and enforces the rules.

The Rolling Meadows Public Library had a more pleasurable solution. For eight months in 1995, the library ran an experimental program called "Mugs and Muffins." Three mornings a week, volunteers would roll a tiny cart loaded with flavored coffees, teas and fat muffins into the library's periodical section where patrons would plunk down about 75 cents for a small breakfast. The program was successful in that the patrons enjoyed the service but, unfortunately, it failed because there were not enough volunteers willing to commit their time and the library could not afford to hire more people.

"I'm really glad we tried it because sometimes you have to take a risk," said Viki Davis, director of special services. "It's a wonderful project. It could go with a strong volunteer force and people who really commit themselves or a Friends [of the Library] group who take it on as a project."

"Our program was not as permanent as it should have been. We had to wheel that cart out every day. You need four things to make this work: presentation, location, quality and commitment."

It seems inevitable that coffee will someday be allowed in most public libraries. Whether a particular library hustles coffee drinkers into the basement or encourages them to buy a double espresso and read this week's New Yorker will be determined by directors everywhere over time.

"I think ifs a great idea," said George Needham, director of the Public Library Association. "I hope to direct a library again sometime so I can put in a great cappuccino machine."

Sources

George Needham, Public Library Association, 312-944-6780

Jim Porter, Uncommon Ground, 312-322-2444

Cary Czarnecki, Niles Public Library, 847-967-8554

Pat Losinski, Warren-Newport Public Library, 847-244-5150

Judy Buren, Arlington Heights Public Library, 847-392-0100

Dan Armstrong, Palatine Public Library 847-358-5881

Neal Ney Evanston Public Library, 847-866-0300

Jack Hicks, Deerfield Public Library, 847-945-3311

Viki Davis, Rolling Meadows Public Library, 847-259-6050

Chadwick Raymond, Northbrook Public Library, 847-272-6224

Barbara Sugden, Barrington Public Library, 847-382-1300

Carol Hubert, Cook Memorial Library 847-362-2330

*Kristin Kloberdanz, graduate student, Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University.

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