For those of you who have been complying with the library’s Food and Drink Policy, thank you.  We have a brand new, beautiful building.  And, we are located in a very old urban area with a large portion of the library underground, adjacent to a major subway corridor.  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.

A number of people have yet to begin to follow the policy.  We are asking everyone to help us establish a comfortable culture for our new space.  Starting Monday, November 9, we will begin asking folks to dispose of offending items immediately or to leave the library to enjoy them elsewhere.  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 items and water bottles will be discarded.  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 the interests of other members of the law school community – present and future – as well.  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 $2.00.

Everyone will appreciate your cooperation.

 

Food and Drink Policy

While the library staff recognizes that a comfortable study and research environment should have a food and beverage policy that is not excessively restrictive, we also believe that some limitations are required to maintain an appropriate library environment.  Accordingly, the Mendik Library has implemented the following guidelines.

Beverages of all types are permitted in all areas of the library, as long as they are contained in spill-proof, covered, wide-bottomed mugs, similar to those issued by the Alumni Association.  Generally speaking, light snack foods such as fruit, candy, cookies (e.g., food generally dispensed in vending machines) are allowed. Pizza, hamburgers, hotdogs, wings, ice cream, and otherwise “messy” foods are not permitted.  No food is permitted in computer rooms or in the reserve area.  Patrons are not allowed to have food delivered to the library. Please note that users who bring in food that disrupts their fellow users’ study will be asked to remove that food from the library. Patrons are expected to clean up after themselves by placing food refuse in the receptacles provided for that purpose. Food and drink should not be left unattended or uncovered.

The brand new Mendik Library has a brand new food policy.  But, no one seems to be paying attention — yet.  That’s not good.  So, here’s your chance to keep the new food policy alive and liberal (along with keeping the brand new furniture in the brand new Mendik Library brand new).  Beginning Monday, August 31, 2009, you will not be permitted into the library if you are carrying prohibited food or drinks.  If you manage to enter the library with prohibited food or drinks, you will be asked to leave.

Remember, drinks (other than bottled water) are permitted only in a spill-proof, wide-bottomed mug.  Use the black NYLS spill-proof mug you received from the Alumni Association.  You can purchase additional mugs at the circulation desk and at the bookstore.  The general rule for food:  if it is messy, smelly, or noisy, enjoy it outside the library.  The full policy is set out below.  Please cooperate for the benefit of everyone.  Thanks.  \

While the library staff recognizes that a comfortable study and research environment should have a food and beverage policy that is not excessively restrictive, we also believe that some limitations are required to maintain an appropriate library environment.  Accordingly, the Mendik Library has implemented the following guidelines.  Beverages of all types are permitted in all areas of the library, as long as they are contained in spill-proof, covered, wide-bottomed mugs, similar to those issued by the Alumni Association. No food is permitted in computer rooms or in the reserve area.

Generally speaking, light snack foods such as fruit, candy, cookies (e.g., food generally dispensed in vending machines) are allowed.  Pizza, hamburgers, hotdogs, wings, ice cream, and otherwise “messy” foods are not permitted.  Patrons are not allowed to have food delivered to the library.  Please note that users who bring in food that disrupts their fellow users’ study will be asked to remove that food from the library. Patrons are expected to clean up after themselves by placing food refuse in the receptacles provided for that purpose.  Food and drink should not be left unattended.