[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: Food in the library and archives



We have a series of small posters posted in the stacks and at doorways
that are as adamant as they are humerus. I have attached a powerpoint
file with the posters (no viruses, I promise!).

Glenn Sherman
Project Assistant
Connecticut Newspaper Project
Connecticut State Library
231 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT  06106

>>> Jean Reed <reedj@REX.QUEENS.EDU> 02/15/02 02:59PM >>>
Dear Listers,
         Help!  I need ammunition.
         Please note an email I have just received from my library
director:


Food and Beverage Policy:
         While we, in Public Services, continue to support the basic
premise of the Food and Beverage Policy which is that we allow drinks in
the library if they drinks are covered, we have relaxed the policy
somewhat and have not stopped to study groups from having light snacks
such as crackers or granola bars.  We have not told students or faculty
to surrender their food or put them out of the library.  We do request
that any student who has brought a meal (salad, or otherwise) into the
library to go into our "break/lounge area" to eat.  You can see we are
trying to be accomodating [sic] within reason.  Sometimes someone will
conceal food and without doing a body search, we are not able to detect
food they may have in their possession.  I have asked Lily [our
PART-TIME housekeeper] to alert me if she finds "meals" in the trash
cans.
         We must remember that when library staff and faculty are
cooking [microwave], eating, and handling library materials at the same
time and are seen doing this by students, then our policy when fully
enforced seems unfair and creates frustration and complaints from
students.  I do not wish to enforce our strict policy upon staff and
faculty as you understand.


         There you have it:  an open invitation to munch and lunch in
the library, as far as the students are concerned. Since when have
cockroaches recognized where the library ends and the archives begins?
         If I sound unhappy, I am.  This latest change in policy is
hardly "best practice" for preservation of collections, wherever they
are.  And the little privacy accorded library staff members to have
their lunch or treats in a staff lounge area has now been ceded to the
public.
         What authoritative sources can I cite to this director to show
her the error of her ways?


Gratefully yours, with thanks in advance,
         Jean










Jean Reed
Archives Specialist
Queens College
Charlotte, NC 28274
(704) 337-2493
reedj@rex.queens.edu
A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List! To subscribe or
unsubscribe, send e-mail to listserv@listserv.muohio.edu In body of
message: SUB ARCHIVES firstname lastname *or*: UNSUB ARCHIVES To post a
message, send e-mail to archives@listserv.muohio.edu Or to do *anything*
(and enjoy doing it!), use the web interface at
http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/archives.html Problems? Send
e-mail to Robert F Schmidt

A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List!

To subscribe or unsubscribe, send e-mail to listserv@listserv.muohio.edu
      In body of message:  SUB ARCHIVES firstname lastname
                    *or*:  UNSUB ARCHIVES
To post a message, send e-mail to archives@listserv.muohio.edu

Or to do *anything* (and enjoy doing it!), use the web interface at
     http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/archives.html

Problems?  Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <rschmidt@lib.muohio.edu>