TriBeCa Coffee kiosk on trial in the Merensky 2 Library

On the 6 November 2018 The Department of Library Services shared some exciting news! 

A TriBeCa Coffee kiosk was set up in the Merensky 2 Library foyer. Staff and students on the Hatfield campus in need of a quick cup of coffee, snack or sandwich could pop into the library’s kiosk which was much closer than the TriBeCa restaurant. The kiosk operated from 7:00 to 21:00 in the evenings.

According to the general rules of the Department of Library Services (DLS) food and drinks are not allowed in the Library.  However, as a result of numerous requests that were received from the users via surveys, etc. to allow them to bring food and drinks into the library, the DLS Executive decided to allow users to bring snacks and drinks into the Library (only at Merensky 2) for this trial period of 1 month. 

Everyone making use of the Coffee kiosk was encouraged to voice their opinion about food and drinks in the library during the trial run period. 211 respondents took part in the survey - mostly undergraduate students (55.5%) and support staff members (21.8%), but academic staff members, postgraduate students, alumni and even visitors responded.

According to the survey 82% of the respondents loved the kiosk and 80.6% said that they would recommend it to their friends. 75% of the respondents believed that drinks like coffee and sodas should be allowed in the library, but they were undecided about allowing food and snacks in the library – only 52% would allow eating in the library. The two main complaints received were concerns about a dirty library (53%) and possible noise (36%).  

The respondents also made some positive suggestions for the library:

• Create a designated eating area
• Allow other Coffee kiosk as well
• Sell drinks only
• Get reusable cups
• Clients should clean their own mess
• Colourful bins should be provided for the waste.

In summary: 84% of the respondents thought this was a great idea and that the Coffee kiosk should become a regular feature in the library. Here are just a few of the positive comments received:

• Please, Please, Pleassssse Make The TriBeCa Coffee Shop A Real Thing
• Saving our lives thank you
• Great to have coffee on campus after hours, helps to study and stay focused. Better alternative to vending machine energy drinks that many of us often resort to during exams or when studying late
• During exam time it should be open until 2 am. Normal hours until 10pm.
• Love the idea 
• Worthwhile for those who spend a lot of time in the library and can’t leave belongings unattended for an eating break.
• I think it's a good idea, some people like myself study in the library for long hours, being able to buy a snack nearby is a good thing
• Putting a coffee kiosk in the library is the best idea since sliced bread. Literally an amazing addition- especially during exams! And they have a card machine which makes things very convenient. I love this!
• Please keep it here
• Perhaps we can have designated areas that allow food and drink. Then people can choose if they want to sit in the 'no food/drink' zone or not. Thank you for considering students’ needs, especially during this time.