Introduction

In support of the Libraries' new Food and Drink Policy, we created “A Health Care for Books Exhibit”. The purpose of this exhibit is to inform library users about the importance of the policy by showing how library materials can become damaged or destroyed by food and drink. The exhibit also highlights key points of the policy and provides examples of drink containers that are acceptable for library use.

Food Residue and Spilled Drinks Damage Library Equipment and Materials


This journal has water damage. The cost of replacing a damaged journal can be considerable and often there are no copies available for us to purchase.

Damaged Library Equipment

This keyboard no longer works because pop was spilt on it.

Food and Drinks Attract Insects and Rodents

Once in the library they will begin to feast upon books and journals devouring anything from the paper, to the fabric book spine, to the glue, which holds the book together. Not only do they destroy library materials by literally chewing up books and journals, but also their feces can cause serious health problems for library users. (“Attack of the Book Eaters”, Health Care for Books: Preserving Library Resources, http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/crerar/exhibits/
preservation1.html , January 24, 2005.)

Silverfish

The insects which most commonly cause damage to library materials are discussed in the books titled, Bookworms: the insect pests of books , by Norman E. Hickin and in Approaches to Pest Management in Museums, by Keith O. Story. Both books are excellent sources written by preservation experts providing detailed descriptions of insect behavior with photographs of books damaged by them. (Image source: Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia , 2 nd Edition, v.3, Insects, p. 119. Detroit: Thomson/Gale, 2004)

Rats

As transmitters of diseases, their role is as important today as it was before, though some diseases, such as, the plague, have lost much of their earlier significance…. Other diseases transmitted by rats include murine epidemic typhus, Weilsch's jaundice, rabies, and rat-bite fever. ( Grzimek's Encyclopedia of Mammals , v. 3, p. 166. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1990. Image source, p. 176)

Patron satisfaction survey results

Food and drink in the Libraries was a concern of some students and faculty in recent patron satisfaction surveys. This photo was taken during the Fall semester of 2004 in the newly renovated and furnished second floor of Bartle Library.

New Food and Drink Policy

Drinks

Drinks are not permitted near library computer terminals and other electronic equipment.