Today on May 9th, at 10:46 I was currently studying for all exams that i
have coming up. And i was stopped by a security guard telling me i was
not allowed to bring food in the building to eat while i am studying.
Earlier today I was able to bring pizza and so were many other students
into the library while they studied. If the food does not have a smell
or is not disruptive to the other students while studying why should we
not be able to have it. A lot of students are currently camping out in
the library for finals and FOOD is a necessity how are you going to deny
us the right to eat in the lib as long as it is not a disturbance? If i
have to Email President of the University about this i will. I will have
my parents and the parents of everyone i know complain bc im sure they
would like to know that while studying i'm not able to nourish my body
with a apple or any other kinds of food. They pay a lot of money for me
to attend this school and pay for the small amount of resources the
students currently have available for them and i'm sure they would like
to know that we aren't allowed to bring food with us while studying. I'm
also sure they wouldn't like the fact that Members who work here are
seen eating and have brought food upstairs after me, "after being told
is not allowed by anyone" and i was unable to do so. I suggest this
issue be addressed or i will continue to go up the chains and get
parents involved if need be. Thanks and have a good day
From: Ashley

Interim Associate University Librarian for Public Services Barbara Anderson replies...

Dear Ashley,

I can understand your frustration on being prevented from bringing food into the library, but I can assure you that the security guard was only trying to help us enforce our food and drink regulations. I realize that most students are not aware that these regulations even exist, and we are working on plans to publicize them more broadly in the near future so you and others will have a better understanding of the Libraries' expectations in this regard.

I appreciate your awareness that some types of food are distracting to others. This type of courtesy is especially important in a setting as crowded as Cabell Library has become, and I know that your parents would be proud of the manner in which you have demonstrated your respect for the needs of others! Our food and drink regulations reflect that same wish to provide a comfortable and quiet place to study by prohibiting "noisy and strong-smelling foods that disturb others."

But it�s not just noise and food odors that concern us - it's also the damage that food and beverages can cause to our library collections, both through direct contact (e.g., stains, grease, mold) and through infestations of pests that are attracted to the building by crumbs, spills, and food wrappers and stay to munch on book glue and paper!

For these reasons, and the fact that library staff are not employed to bus tables, we ask that library users observe our simple regulations, including:
- Beverages in re-closable, spill-proof containers are permitted (except in specific designated areas such as computer labs, library instruction classrooms and Special Collections and Archives)
- Food is limited to snack or wrapped items which are consumed individually and that are not damaging to collections.
- Noisy and strong-smelling snack foods that disturb others are prohibited.
- Group foods, fast food, or open plates of food - pizzas, burgers, fries, salads, complete meals, etc. - are prohibited.
- Outside delivery of food is prohibited.
- Library users must dispose of their food and drink related trash in waste receptacles.

Ashley, we do recognize that studying and eating go hand in hand, and we hope that you will find appropriate snack foods that you can munch while working in the library. But, please try to understand our position that libraries are not appropriate places for eating meals. Campus dining facilities are just a few steps away and provide the best environment for pizzas, burgers, and the like. By complying with our regulations, you can help us to "maintain an inviting, comfortable and clean environment for research and quiet study, ensure pest-free buildings, and preserve collections for the future."