Bender Library is offering a $300 campus store gift certificate to the student who comes up with the most creative name for its new coffee kiosk. Construction for the kiosk is scheduled to begin in two weeks, according to Nick Banovetz, assistant to the University librarian.
The kiosk will be located in the reserves reading room, which used to be a 24-hour study room, Banovetz said. After more 24-hour places like the Mary Graydon Center were opened to students, the study room was changed into the reading reserves room. Sofas and chairs will be moved in the room, and the existing computers will stay.
It will be "cool for students to see the progress" of setting up the kiosk, Banovetz said.
Though contractors will be working close to finals time, the library staff expressed hope it will not interrupt students' study time.
"We hope the contractors will be here earlier in the day so there won't be construction during the evening when most students are in the library," Banovetz said.
Although the menu is still being finalized, the kiosk will serve "various coffee drinks, tea and pop," Banovetz said. "At this point we will have an assortment of snacks, but we really want to wait and see what people will purchase and what they like, so the [selection] will evolve over time."
Students will be able to drink the coffee in other parts of the library in lidded cups only. "We're fairly liberal with our drinking policy," said Banovetz, "as long as it has a lid."
"I think it's convenient," said Erin Kelley, a sophomore in the School of International Service. "Usually when students are studying, they have to pack up and leave just to get coffee. It will be much more convenient for them to stay in the library."
The winner and runners-up will be announced at the library's Final Perk. Two runners-up will receive coupons for use toward the kiosk. The contest is open to current AU students only and will end April 18 at midnight. Entry forms are available in the library lobby, and students can enter as many times as they like.
Banovetz couldn't say exactly when construction would be finished. The kiosk's creation is supported by gifts from the Graduate Leadership Council and Friends of American University Library.
