5 messages, 111 lines:

(1)------------------------
Date:         Sat, 24 Feb 1996 15:21:52 -0600
From:         Joel Hahn <jhahn@CCS.NSLSILUS.ORG>
Subject:      Re: Bottled Water with Periodical Collections (2 messages)

Teri M. Vogel <vogel_tm@MERCER.EDU> writes:
> 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.

For the most part, I agree on the "no water" rule, but I've been in
several libraries where the humidity is set *so* low that anyone without
easy access to water is quickly mummified (I exaggerate only slightly).
And of course, the water fountain (singular) is always located upstairs
and on the opposite end of the building from wherever one is working
(provided the fountain is in working condition), making it an *extremely*
uncomfortable place to work/study for any length of time.  Combine with
sunny days and the prevalence of southward-facing plate glass windows for
extra fun.

Possible solutions:  turn up the humidity a few notches (won't harm the
collection in most libraries); make sure water fountains work (and have a
water-softener attached); or simply make the patrons & employees work with
cracked hands and chapped lips.

>  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.

Aye, there's the rub.  Give them an inch and they'll take a mile.
However, I've noticed that in some cases, while patrons aren't allowed
food or drink, reference librarians (for example) feel free to drink tea
or coffee at their desk in full view of the rapidly dessiccating
patrons.

Joel Hahn
Niles Public Library District

(2)-----------------------
Date:         Mon, 26 Feb 1996 08:32:07 +1200
From:         Rita Bota <RITA@STAFF.CIT.AC.NZ>
Organization: C.I.T.,  New Zealand
Subject:      Re: Bottled Water with Periodical Collections

This library has also experienced the "bottled water craze".  We
have decided that since the temperatures soar within the library
during the summer months, we would allow the type of bottle that has
a small feeder nozzle at the top.   This means we are conceding that
the student may need a drink, but limiting the type of container
used.   It seems to work - so far!

Rita Bota
Periodicals librarian
Central Institute of Technology
Upper Hutt, New Zealand.>

(3)-----------------------
Date:         Sun, 25 Feb 1996 14:34:44 -0500
From:         "Sr. Saint Edward McLaughlin" <marymnt1@METGATE.METRO.ORG>
Subject:      Re: Bottled Water with Periodical Collections
Comments: To: Pat Martin <pmartin@HPU.EDU>

Pat:
You are not alone and we just finished having 61+ inches of snow and 3
degrees above zero weather!  We also constantly struggle with juice
bottles and soda cans!  Short of being omnipresent and omniscient we
haven't yet found a solution!!!   Good luck!

Sr. St. Edward McLaughlin RSHM             Gloria Gaines Memorial Library
Serials/Research Librarian                 Marymount College
marymnt1@metgate.metro.org                 Tarrytown, NY 10591-3796

(4)------------------------
Date:         Mon, 26 Feb 1996 08:28:32 PST
From:         Bryan C Ingleby <ingleby@DAWSON.CO.UK>
Subject:      Re: Bottled Water with Periodical Collections

Hi.

There are some of us who wish we had a warm weather climate problem at this
time of year especially as our water has a propensity to settle on the
ground as white stuff.

Regards

Bryan Ingleby

(5)-------------------------
Date:         Mon, 26 Feb 1996 08:02:22 -0600
From:         Anne Giffey <giffey@EDGEWOOD.EDU>
Subject:      Re: Bottled water

Our library has had problems with patron "snacks" also and while we still
patrol the library we have instituted a sort of collection area where
patrons can deposit their drinks and pick them up on the way out of the
building.  The container is actually our old circ card holder (we are now
automated)!  We have a sign at the entrance saying "Please deposit your
beverage containers here.  No food or drink in the library."

The response is amazing and has cut down on the number of messes.  People
seem to be more willing to abide by the rules when they have a sanctioned
place to put their cups and we have not had a problem with stolen items.
Who would want a used coffee mug anyway?  Ughh!

Anne Giffey
Oscar Rennebohm Library
Edgewood College, Madison, WI