Louis J. Blume Library: Library Food and Drink

The Blume Library is committed to providing a clean, comfortable, and welcoming space for all. This policy outlines our food and drink guidelines across library floors to support student needs while protecting library materials, furniture, and equipment.

At the heart of this policy is a shared responsibility: please be considerate, clean up after yourself, and respect those studying around you.

General Guidelines (All Areas)

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Following the Food and Drink Policy helps:

• Keep the library clean and pest-free.
• Preserve furniture, technology, and materials.
• Support housekeeping efforts.
• Ensure funding goes toward library improvements—not repairs.

We ask all patrons to:

• Bring only food that can be easily managed without creating messes, leaving grease or residue, or producing strong odors.
• Use trash and recycling bins.
• Wipe down tables and clean up after yourself.
• Report spills immediately to Library staff at the Circulation area on the 2nd Floor.
• Keep food and drink away from university computers and library resources.
• Receive food deliveries outside the building.
• Use provided cleaning stations to maintain shared spaces.

Floor-Specific Guidelines

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The Learning Commons (First Floor) and Second Floor

These active, collaborative spaces allow a wide variety of food and drinks.

Allowed:

• Food and beverages sold on campus.
• Other items that do not disturb others with noise, odor, or mess.
• Drinks in covered, spill-proof containers or capped bottles.

Not Allowed:

• Alcoholic beverages.

Expectations:

• Be mindful of those studying nearby.
• Always clean up after yourself.
• Report spills immediately to staff.

We welcome food in these areas, but our main expectation is respect for others and shared responsibility for cleanliness.

Third Floor (Quiet Study and Collections)

The third floor supports quiet study and houses most of the print collection and Special Collections and University Archives. Because of this, stricter rules apply.

Allowed (General Study Areas):

• Prepackaged snacks like granola bars, crackers, pretzels, nuts, or whole fruit.
• Covered, spill-proof drinks.

Not Allowed:

• Food or drink in Special Collections and University Archives.
• Messy or strongly odorous food.
• Alcoholic beverages.

Note: Spaces like the Rattler Success Center or Graduate Center for Excellence may have their own food and drink policies. Follow posted guidelines in those areas.

Policy Enforcement

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We promote this policy through education and mutual respect. Staff at the 2nd Floor Circulation area are available for questions or concerns.

University Conduct Alignment

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This policy supports the St. Mary’s University Code of Student Conduct by encouraging responsible behavior and respect for shared spaces. Behaviors that disrupt the academic and collaborative environment, such as a disregard for the Blume Food and Drink Policy may result in further action. For more details, refer to the Code of Student Conduct at https://www.stmarytx.edu/policies/student-development/code-of-student-conduct/.

University Conduct Alignment

This policy supports the St. Mary’s University Code of Student Conduct by encouraging responsible behavior and respect for shared spaces. Behaviors that disrupt the academic and collaborative environment, such as a disregard for the Blume Food and Drink Policy may result in further action. For more details, refer to the Code of Student Conduct at https://www.stmarytx.edu/policies/student-development/code-of-student-conduct/.

Updated August 2025