Ball State University's Bracken Library Bookmark Cafe's opening continues to be postponed because of delays in delivery of refrigerator compression parts.
The initial planning for the cafe began in September 2005, but delays have caused the cafe's opening to be postponed, Liz Poore, assistant director of Residence Hall and Dining Services, said. The cafe did not get the refrigerated carts it needed until Thanksgiving week, but Dining Services is waiting on compressors for refrigeration and other features, Poore said. Dining Services never had a specific date, but planned to open Bookmark Cafe as soon as possible, she said. Last April she said the cafe was planned to open by the start of Fall Semester.
"The big hold up was the carts and we knew at the beginning of September we weren't going to get them until the end of November, but we received those," she said. "We're happy about the carts, and now we have to get door pulls for the coolers, install the lights and put in the furniture."
Dean of University Libraries Arthur Hafner said the delay has not affected daily operation. He said what students are not able to do is take a break from studying and get refreshments or talk.
"I wouldn't want anybody to think 'my god the library is at 40 percent operational level' because the foodery isn't open," he said. "Enough people said they'd use it if it were here and it'd be very nice for our students."
Poore said about $150,000 has gone into Bookmark Cafe from a Housing and Dining reserve account. She said the trend for colleges and universities was to move dining into non-residential buildings and academic buildings.
"Universities put carts or food service in academic buildings so we're trying to follow the trend," she said. "The library requested something and were happy with a cart, but Dining Services wanted more."
Hafner students had come into the library asking where they could get something to eat or drink. There was an area where students could buy food and soft drinks out of a machine, but he said people expected to see more than vending machines because other places have better options.
"A lot of people are accustomed today for libraries and bookstores to offer access to hot food like a Starbucks," he said. "Well, we wanted to explore if we could have something like that in the university library."
Students can use meal cards at the cafe and the food will be cooked at the Atrium and moved to the library, Poore said. Students will be able to purchase a complete meal at breakfast, lunch and dinner.
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