After reading Ibironke Lawal and David Orenstein's responses, I wanted to share my opinion. I am in what I call a unique position. I am currently employed in the reference department at one of Mississippi's Institutes of Higher Learning and I am also a graduate student finishing up my master's in Library and Information Science. I have seen both sides of this two-headed coin.

On the one side, as a library professional, I often encounter students who have admitted that this was their first visit to the library. Now these are not freshman, but graduate and senior students. I know this should not shock me, but sometimes it does. I can't help but wonder where these students have been. I am always emphasizing to the students during library instruction how important it is to develop good research skills. I am careful to let them know that in order to do this you must visit the library.

On the other side, as a graduate student, I know the value of having access to a library. I don't know what I would have done without access to journal articles pertinent to my master's project. All my research was and is done in a library, whether it is print or electronic format. It was the need that made me enter the library not whether it had refreshments for when and/or if I became thirsty. Speaking as a student who comes from and economically depressed area, where most of the parents can little afford housing let alone a computer for the home, and the only place open long enough for you to do your assignment is the library, then that is where you will go. It will not matter what beverages can be had there.

I agree with the comment made by Ibironke Lawal with reference to the faculty. If the faculty does not see the university library as a cornerstone for education, then they will not inspire their students to use these facilities. I think faculty should give assignments that require a visit to the library every week. This will not only improve the student's research skills, but it will also give the library and librarians a chance to show students as well as faculty what we do and how well we can do it.

So, if putting a coffee shop in your library allows your library a chance to promote itself, go for it!

-- Mantra Henderson, Reference Librarian (posted 11/15, 2:50 p.m., U.S. Eastern time)

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