Food and Drink in Work Areas

As indicated in Library policy 452, room 214 in the Library building has been set aside for staff use as a lounge where staff may relax and eat or drink during breaks or meal periods.

While use of the staff lounge is encouraged, staff may have food or drink in their work areas if they observe the following guidelines:

Food and drink cannot be placed or consumed close to either Library materials (such as books, journals, diskettes, or Special Collections materials); or equipment (such as computers, keyboards, or photocopiers).

Food and drink cannot be placed or consumed in work areas in open sight of library users (for example at a public service desk).

Staff in their work area or at their desk are considered to be at work, subject to interruption. Scheduled meal periods (lunch and dinner) must be taken away from desk or work area.

Staff may offer beverages to visitors while ensuring compliance with these restrictions.

When bringing food or drink into the building for consumption in either the staff lounge or the work area, staff should exercise discretion in public areas. Library users are not allowed to take food or drink in the building (see Library policy 231). Staff should therefore keep food or drink concealed when passing through a public area so as not to convey an incorrect impression to users that food and drink are acceptable in public areas of the Library.

References: J. Arnold memo to staff 5/9/80
B. Auchter/security memo to staff 4/26/91

previously implemented policy, statement approved 10/19/92