Food and Drink Policy

Eating in the library
Responsible stewardship of the Libraries collections requires that we exercise care in allowing food in library buildings. Food is easily spilled on books, furniture, and equipment, causing damage. Particles of food left behind on books, furniture, or floors attract rodents, cockroaches, silverfish and other unwanted pests.

Drinking in the library
All beverages, including water, are easily spilled on books, furniture and floors. Damage to library materials results in replacement costs to the Libraries and makes the material unavailable to library users. Allowing covered beverage containers greatly minimizes the risk of damage and, at the same time, meets the needs of users who are frequently in the library for extended periods.

• Snack foods and covered beverages are allowed in many, but not all, university libraries. 
• All libraries prohibit the consumption of food while using university computers or other technology (such as scanners, plotters, plasma screens, etc.) and in the book stacks.
• Libraries and units that do not allow the consumption of food and/or beverages post that information at library entrances, on library websites, or in specific locations within those libraries where food and/or beverages are not allowed. The Libraries reserves the right to ask any user to remove food and/or beverage from the library if in the judgment of the staff it constitutes a violation of this policy. In addition, failure to comply with posted restrictions or staff instructions regarding the consumption of food and beverages constitutes a violation of the Libraries Code of Conduct.

In order to conserve library resources and provide a comfortable environment for all, users are expected to adhere to the following guidelines:

• Snacks and covered beverages are permitted in most areas. Messy, noisy or strong-smelling foods are not permitted.
• Only covered beverages are permitted in the book stacks and near computers and other university funded technology.
• Meals are permitted in food service areas such as By George and Suzzallo Starbucks.
• Deliveries of food to Libraries are not permitted. Exceptions are made at the UW Bothell / Cascadia College Campus Library and for scheduled, catered events taking place in the Libraries.
• Unattended food and/or beverages are subject to being disposed of by staff.
• Clean up any spills right away—if additional assistance is needed, contact library staff at any desk.
• Properly dispose of all food, trash, compostables, and recycling.

• Special Collections (Allen South Basement)
• Government Publications, Maps, Microforms and Newspapers (Suzzallo Ground)
• Open Scholarship Commons Recording Studio
• Odegaard Undergraduate Library Sound Studio
• Open Scholarship Commons Recording Studio
• UW Tacoma Campus Library Makerspace