Did you know the Mendik Library has a very liberal food and drink policy? To help maintain it, we need everyone’s cooperation. Drinks are permitted only in spill-proof containers (e.g., bottles with caps, commuter mugs or tumblers with secure lids, etc.) Spill-proof NYLS mugs are always available at the circulation desk for $5.00.
Library staff have been lenient for the first few weeks of school, but that is about to end. Please cooperate for the benefit of everyone. Thanks.
We love allowing our students to bring their coffee (and other drinks) into the Library, a tradition that will continue alongside our New Year’s resolution to permit only those drinks arriving (and remaining) in spill-proof containers. Our NYLS Mugs–available at the Circulation Desk for $5–are perfect in that role! Bottoms up!
April 22 marks Earth Day’s 45th anniversary with the theme of “It’s our turn to lead.” Did you know that the original symbol of Earth Day was created by artist and cartoonist Ron Cobb in 1969? According to legend, it was created as a combination of the letters e and o, from the words environment and organism. (If you’re curious for a visual, check out Ed’s overalls when you ride the elevator.)
There are plenty of ways to observe Earth Day – volunteer, plant trees, organize a community garden, or simply change a habit. One other suggestion – drink your coffee, tea, or other beverage from a NYLS reusable mug. You’ll help to reduce the volume of plastic, Styrofoam, and paper cups piling up in landfills or requiring energy for recycling. At the same time, you’ll be complying with the Library’s food and drink policy and earning our thanks! If you don’t have a spill-proof mug, pick one up at the Circulation Desk for $5.00. For every one purchased through the end of this semester’s exam period librarians will contribute $1.00 to Earth Day Network (www.earthday.org/), which works with over 22,000 partners in 192 countries to broaden, diversify and mobilize the environmental movement.
Continuing with its A Billion Acts of Green® movement, a “people-powered campaign to generate a billion acts of environmental service and advocacy . . .” that began in 2011, the folks at the Earth Day Network are now looking to reach 2 Billion Acts of Green. The total reported as of the morning of April 19, 2013 was 1,019,860,805 (and counting).
One easy Act of Green you could pledge would be to turn off the library study table lamps and carrel lights whenever you leave. Or, you could use the stairs instead of the elevators between floors. We will thank you and so will the Earth.
Another suggestion: By drinking your coffee, tea, or other beverage from a spill-proof, reusable mug, you can transform a single Act of Green into an ongoing one, helping continually to reduce the volume of plastic, Styrofoam, and paper cups piling up in landfills or requiring energy for recycling. At the same time, you’ll be complying with the Library’s food and drink policy and earning our thanks!
If you don’t have a spill-proof mug, pick one up at the Circulation Desk for $3.00. Although we already sell these mugs at a loss, for every one purchased through the end of this semester’s exam period librarians will contribute $.50 to Earth Day Network (www.earthday.org/), which works with over 22,000 partners in 192 countries to broaden, diversify and mobilize the environmental movement.
For complete information about Earth Day, visit Earth Day Network.
Are you sometimes grossed out when you use the computers in the library labs? Well, you’re not alone! Here’s an excerpt from an email a student sent us during finals time:
“Dear [library administrators]:
“… Do you happen to know whether the maintenance staff cleans the
computer lab keyboards each night? I’ve noticed several times when
I’m here that the keyboards are messy with crumbs or sticky keys or
white dust….”
The answer is that computer keyboards are sensitive equipment. It’s not feasible to have maintenance staff clean them. The only way to keep the keyboards clean is to keep food and drink out of their environment.
NYLS rules prohibit bringing food or drink into the library labs. If everybody honored these rules, then there’d be no more keyboard gross-outs.
Library staff patrol the labs, and work to enforce the rules. But we’re not trained as cops, and we can’t do it all by ourselves. We need your help to solve this problem. Only heightened awareness, and a little bit of peer pressure, are likely to improve this crummy situation.
For those Library patrons who tend to minimize the impact of spilled coffee, read about the nightmare that ensued on a United Airlines flight last year from Chicago to Frankfurt, Germany. The Wall Street Journal report is here.
If you’d rather watch than read, check out the referenced movie, Fate is the Hunter. Follow Glen Ford as he discovers the cause of the fatal plane crash he is investigating – a spilled cup of cockpit coffee (which short-circuited the plane’s instruments). Here’s the less than stellar New York Times movie review (from December 10, 1964).
Moral: Use spill-proof mugs!
For those of you who have been complying with the library’s Food and Drink Policy, thank you. Some limits on the food and drink allowed in the library are necessary to keep our beautiful new building clean and comfortable for many years to come. Remember: All beverages, excluding water, must be in spill-proof mugs. This includes soda, coffee, and juice. Only light snack and light meal items are allowed. No food is allowed in the Electronic Research Classrooms and drinks must be in a spill-proof mug. Unattended food and drink items will be discarded.
Unfortunately, a number of people continue to ignore the policy. So, beginning during the week of April 25, you will see more librarians walking more frequently through the library; they will ask you to dispose of any offending items immediately or to leave the library to enjoy them elsewhere. Your help is appreciated to avoid creating unnecessary confrontations and the resulting distractions to you and your fellow students who are trying to study.
Why do we have the policy we do? Because it represents an appropriate compromise between allowing students to eat and drink while studying and ensuring respect for not only the physical space but also the interests of other members (present and future) of the law school community. Beverages spill, rendering the immediate space unusable until it is cleaned. Spills spread, stain, and leave behind a sticky residue attractive only to vermin. Food that is smelly or messy or noisy disturbs and distracts everyone around you. Messy items provide more food for local vermin. You wouldn’t bring food or drink into the courtroom, or to a client’s office, or on an interview.
A spill-proof mug is all it takes to enter the library with any beverage you like. If you don’t have a spill-proof mug, pick one up at the circulation desk for $3.00.
Everyone will appreciate your cooperation.
For those Library patrons who tend to minimize the impact of spilled coffee, read about the nightmare that ensued on a recent United Airlines flight from Chicago to Frankfurt, Germany. The Wall Street Journal report is here.
If you’d rather watch than read, check out the referenced movie, Fate is the Hunter. Follow Glen Ford as he discovers the cause of the fatal plane crash he is investigating – a spilled cup of cockpit coffee (which short-circuited the plane’s instruments). Here’s the less than stellar New York Times movie review (from December 10, 1964).
Moral: Use spill-proof mugs!
Would spill-proof mugs have helped BP? You decide. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AAa0gd7ClM
We know they help here. Please use them and keep the library free of spills and stains.
Thanks. And best of luck with your remaining exams.
Now’s your chance to own this year’s hottest library accessory at half the usual cost. Wednesday through Friday of this week you can buy the official Mendik Library mug for just $1.00. It is a must-have (literally) if you want to enjoy your coffee or other beverage in the library. Pick yours up at the Circulation Desk.
Remember – the Library’s food policy prohibits all beverages other than water unless contained in a spill-proof mug. The full policy is available here. Some limits on the food and drink allowed in the library are necessary to keep it clean and comfortable for many years to come. We must respect our physical space and work hard to maintain it. Spills spread, stain, and leave behind a sticky residue attractive only to vermin. Food that is smelly or messy or noisy disturbs and distracts everyone around you. Messy items provide more food for local vermin. You wouldn’t bring food or drink into the courtroom, or to a client’s office, or on an interview.
A spill-proof mug is all it takes to enter the library with any beverage you like. If you don’t have a spill-proof mug, pick one up at the circulation desk for $1.00. Everyone will appreciate your cooperation.