The University of Kansas Libraries

Policy on Food and Drink
for Anschutz and Watson Libraries

Rationale

Library staff members are responsible for maintaining collections, equipment, and furnishings for both current and future users. We also strive to provide a neat and comfortable research and study environment. This policy attempts to achieve a balance between these needs.

Note: Other libraries in the KU system may set more restrictive policies for users and staff.

Policy - what’s allowed…what’s not allowed

• Drinks and certain snacks may be consumed by library users except when using library collections (books, journals, microforms) and/or library computers and equipment.
• All drinks must be in a can or other container that has a lid.
• Snack items that do not require heating and are not aromatic (e.g. chips, cookies, candies, etc.) are also allowed. Snacks that require heating or that are messy and aromatic (e.g., pizza, hamburgers, etc.) are not allowed.
• No food deliveries are allowed to the libraries.

Procedures

If a staff person notices that someone is violating the policy, the staff member will inform the individual of the policy and ask them to dispose of the food/drink or to go elsewhere to consume it.

Library users will be instructed to dispose of trash and will be asked to report any spills to staff so that a clean environment can be maintained.

Library staff are expected to follow similar guidelines in non-public library areas. Custodial services are not offered daily in staff areas, and staff should remove all food remnants from staff areas at the end of each work period.