By Erin Miller

Editor in Chief

Students tired of taking their lunch out of Hekman Library and over to Johnny's or the Library Lobby now have an alternative: eat lunch in the Library Café.

The Café, which is actually the study carrels and lounge chairs along the windows on the north end of the second floor of the library, opened on Saturday, Nov. 24. The idea was to prevent students from eating in other areas of the library.

``In the last couple of years, we've noticed an increase in the amount of food brought into the library,'' Library Director Glenn Remelts said. ``We sympathize with students. We understand there's a relationship between studying and eating.''

That relationship has only been reinforced over the past few years as students visit stores like Barnes and Noble and Borders, Remelts noted.

He added that the library staff had considered a café for several years, but only this year discovered a suitable site.

``We always thought it was a good idea,'' he said. ``One day I thought, well, the second floor is not as much of a study floor as the third, fourth and fifth floors.''

Last week, lounge furniture on the second floor was moved to the north end, and signs were posted throughout the library alerting students to the change.

While food is not currently being sold in the Café, Remelts said that it may be a possibility for the future.

``We hope that it evolves,'' he said. ``There's probably a number of things we could do - more lounge furniture, coffee machines, cookies. We'd probably never have pop machines. If we could keep it low key, we'll bring other services in.''

However, before that can happen, he added, the library would need to work with Johnny's, and no suggestions have even been made for increasing what is available to students in the library.

Candy and beverages in non-disposable containers such as CUPPS mugs and sports bottles are allowed. Although food has never been allowed in the library, the library's policy of enforcement has varied over the past several years.

In the past, monitors have made rounds through the library, looking for students with food or non-approved beverage containers. However, Remelts said, the original $10 fine for breaking the rule sometimes discouraged monitors from writing up students discovered eating. An honor system was tried three years ago, but students still brought food into the library.

The problem was not that so many students brought food into the library, but that even a small amount of trash left on a study carrel takes away from the cleanliness of the building. Also, students have found many places to hide from library monitors in the back corners of the library where they have been able to eat undetected.

Two years ago, the fine was reduced to $5 and monitoring was increased. Now, with the introduction of the café, Remelts said enforcement will increase even more.