2 messages, 59 lines:

(1)-----------------------
Date:         Fri, 23 Feb 1996 15:28:00 -0500
From:         "Teri M. Vogel" <vogel_tm@MERCER.EDU>
Subject:      Re: Bottled Water with Periodical Collections

On Fri, 23 Feb 1996, Pat Martin wrote:

> We have a number of study carrels situated throughout our collection of
> periodicals.  For the past several years, we have had an increase in the
> number of students bringing bottled water into the room, with the
> expectation that they will drink while studying.  Is anyone else
> experiencing this problem?  And, how do you handle it?  I thought the
> bottled water craze had passed!  ...

Late last year our director had to speak to a patron who became irate when
she was told she could not keep her bottled water with her in the study
room.  The student told the director that our sign said "No Food or
Drinks"  but nothing about water, to which she replied "Well, what do you
do with water?"

Food and drinks (yes, that includes water) in the study rooms are an
ongoing annoyance here.  We have patrons who try to bring in bottles of
water, but we will not make an exception.  Spilled water does just as much
damage to books, magazines and furniture.  And even if the patron is the
neatest and most careful person in the world, someone else will see the
water and think that it's O.K. if they bring a 2-liter bottle of Coke and
McDonald's Value Meal the next time they come in.  We'll hold the water at
the circulation desk and remind them we have water fountains.

  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
  *  Teri M. Vogel                                (W) vogel_tm@mercer.edu   *
  *  Periodicals Supervisor                        Voice:  770.986.3276     *
  *  Mercer University Atlanta                       Fax:  770.986.3270     *
  *  3001 Mercer University Drive                                           *
  *  Atlanta, GA 30341            This week's films: Richard III / La Jetee *
  *                               This week's book: Crime & Punishment      *
  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

(2)-----------------
Date:         Fri, 23 Feb 1996 13:32:28 PST
From:         Kathleen Thorne <KATHLEEN@SJSUVM1.BITNET>
Subject:      Re: Bottled Water with Periodical Collections

Pat, apparently the "No smoking/food/drink" sign in our libraries should
have a new line added: "..except for bottled water", as apparently the
administration has decided water is allowed. Reason: the drinking fountainsq
in our "new" library (we moved in in '82) have been out of order 95% of the
time, and even at the best of times San Jose water is undrinkable by nearly
anyone's standards  (safe but tastes awful).

Of course, that means that ANYTHING in those "walk bottles" is allowed, and
if we allow water, then why not tea or coffee (frequently it's just colored
water anyway) and if we allow coffee, can we discriminate against cokes and
milkshakes?  As long as they don't send out for pizza, I guess we're one
step ahead.  --

From: Kathleen Thorne <KATHLEEN@SJSUVM1.BITNET>