SIUE Celebrates Opening of Starbucks Cart in Lovejoy Library
There’s a new spot on Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s campus for students, faculty and staff to grab a quick caffeine boost or sweet treat! Lovejoy Library is now home to a Starbucks Cart.
A ribbon was cut on Tuesday, Sept. 1 to mark the official opening of the Starbucks Library Cart, which offers a core menu assortment, and is located in the South entrance of Lovejoy Library.
“Today’s opening is a culmination of years of discussion, persistence and patience,” said Jeffrey Waple, PhD, vice chancellor for Student Affairs. “I thank everyone involved for their hard work and dedication in making this concept a reality.
“Dining is elated that the library operation has finally come to fruition,” added Dining Services Director Dennis Wobbe. “The lengthy journey to this innovative and contemporary concept started nearly 12 years ago. We had carefully considered a multitude of different areas within the library, and a score of national and local coffee establishments. We truly appreciate the intuition and inventiveness of the chancellor, vice chancellors and the Lovejoy Library team to collaborate and present the SIUE community with this final premier location.”
The Starbucks Library Cart is open from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Its menu includes hot and iced beverages, iced teas and some refreshers. Food options include sweet, savory and seasonal pastries. With respect to the library environment, no blended beverages are available at this location in order to reduce noise levels.
“This option allowed us to provide a wonderful service to our beloved campus and remain respectful to the peaceful environment the library provides for students. It was also a fiscally responsible venue to create,” noted Melissa McEldowney, associate director of Dining Services. “In working with a cart-like set up and with a franchise that we already have a relationship with on campus, we were able to offer the greatest impact to the community with the least amount of cost associated with the project.”
Both the Starbucks Library Cart and the Starbucks in the Morris University Center are run by SIUE’s Dining Services.
Photos: SIUE Dining Services Administrator Matt Turner (far left) and Director Dennis Wobbe (far right) hold the ceremonial ribbon while SIUE Student Government President Maddie Walters and Chancellor Randy Pembrook cut it, marking the official opening of the Starbucks Library Cart.
A core menu assortment is available at the new Starbucks Library Cart at the South entrance of Lovejoy Library.
