The Chronicle: Colloquy: The question

THE QUESTION

Many educators are worried about the dwindling number of students who do research and study in college libraries. Some librarians, seeing that students prefer to hang out in bookstores that have cafes and coffee bars, have decided to copy Barnes & Noble and Borders by opening espresso bars in their libraries. And in some cases, the addition of such facilities seems to be attracting more students. While some librarians embrace this move as smart marketing, others worry that scarce resources are being spent on cappuccino machines -- rather than on journals and books. Should college libraries try to attract more students by opening coffee bars and cafes?

For further information, see this background article:

As Students Work Online, Reading Rooms Empty Out -- Leading Some Campuses to Add Starbucks (11/16/2001)

: 47 RESPONSES (New 1/11)

JOIN THE DEBATE

STEP 1: Your contact information (required)

Your name:

Your title & institution:

Your phone:

Your e-mail address:

STEP 2: Your comments

STEP 3: Submit!

Be sure to include your name and affiliation. Legitimate requests for anonymity will be honored.

The Chronicle maintains Colloquy as an open forum where readers can comment on issues. Submissions may be condensed or edited for clarity, but editing is kept to a minimum. We correct errors in spelling, punctuation, etc. In addition, we remove statements that have the potential to be libelous or to slander someone. In cases in which people make claims that could be libelous, we will remove the names of institutions and departments. But in those cases, we will not alter the ideas contained in the submissions.

Please read our privacy policy or our Colloquy help page if you have questions.

Check this box only if you would like this submission to be considered for publication as a letter to the editor in the printed Chronicle.