News > August 28, 2008

By Jenn Kimbal | Staff writer

The Z. Smith Reynolds Library has had a summer makeover and will soon boast a full-service Starbucks in what was formerly known as Rhoda’s Café. Construction on the two 24-hour study rooms began on May 12, just a few days after finals ended last semester.

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Construction has been a constant presence on campus since spring semester ended in May. (Kelly Makepeace/Old Gold & Black)

The rooms were closed during summer break and opened for student use on the first day of classes.

The decision to put a Starbucks in the library was a much debated topic throughout the past spring semester.

After all of the controversy and months of construction, the Starbucks will finally open on September 22.

Many argued that a large corporation like Starbucks would put the student-run coffee shop, Campus Grounds, out of business.

However, it was finally decided that both coffee houses could thrive on campus, and, shortly after, the study rooms underwent major renovations to accommodate this change.

The west study room will feature new furniture, which arrived August 22.

Renovations are still taking place on the Starbucks.

Peter Ramanoff, the library’s evening supervisor, spoke about the difference between the new study rooms compared with the old ones.

“They are so warm and welcoming … it’s like night and day,” Romanoff said of the new study rooms.

It is expected that Starbucks will increase traffic through the east study room.

To account for this, two new group study rooms have been installed in the east 24-hour room and one in the west. Library personnel hope this will allow students to engage in quiet study despite the noise of the Starbucks. According to Ramanoff, all the Starbucks baristas will be students supervised by ARAMARK personnel.

“ARAMARK works hand-in-hand with Starbucks,” Ramanoff said.

Working at Starbucks is one of the work study positions available for students.

The job may eventually become open to any student looking for an on-campus job.

Starbucks’ hours of operation have yet to be determined, but both study rooms will be open 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

These rooms have become a popular place for late night and early morning studying.

These renovations will make the rooms a more inviting place to study.

Renovations to the 24-hour study rooms are one way the Z. Smith Reynolds staff is working to make the library a more pleasant place to work for university students.