“Einstein’s has definitely changed the atmosphere of the first floor,” Sherrod Library Dean Dr. Jean Flanigan said. “But there’s still a lot of quiet, studious space on the upper floors.”Since the new Einstein Brothers Bagels shop was opened in the library this semester, opinions about the change in environment have been circulating through the student body. Several students said that the shop has undeniably changed the library, or at least its first floor, into more of a social area than a studious one.
“Einstein’s Bagels is a distraction,” junior Josh Wolfe said. “But you can always avoid that distraction by going to one of the upper floors. And the shop does keep students awake with their delicious coffee.”
Freshman Briana Taylor commented that “Einstein’s is super loud, but it definitely isn’t the only source of disruption in the library.”
Whitney Crigger agreed.
“People bring babies and children in there who run and play, which can be pretty distracting at times,” explained Crigger. “I’ve seen children playing on the upper floors while people are trying to study, and that’s where students go to get away from the commotion of Einstein’s.”
One question students have is why the eatery was not in the placed in the Culp Center.
“I don’t understand why they didn’t put Einstein’s in the Culp Center with the rest of the food,” Taylor said.
Flanigan offered some insight. “We’ve been working to get a coffee shop in the library since 1999,” she said. “Having one is definitely a trend in academic libraries. The Cave and Culp Center already have food and beverage offerings. Einstein’s is another option for people working and studying in the library, and it doesn’t require them to leave the building. The library was chosen because we asked for it, and Aramark and Einstein’s thought it made good financial sense to locate it here.
“Yes, I’ve heard complaints, and I’ve had a few of my own. The espresso machine sounds just like the concrete saw the contractors used to remove the walls,” Flanigan said. “I’ve asked Einstein’s to find a way to muffle it or remove it.”
Taylor said she hopes a solution is found for the noises.
“If they got their system down pat it might not be so bad,” Taylor said. “They scream your name to get your attention when your order’s ready, and they get orders mixed up sometimes, which causes some problems. But they have really good bagels, and that almost outweighs the disturbances.”
One part of the argument that can’t be overlooked is the ability of the shop to draw students into the library.
One library receptionist who asked to remain anonymous said, “Einstein’s brings students in, and that helps them familiarize themselves with our services. If they come in for Einstein’s I think that makes them more likely to come back for different reasons.”
Regardless, library officials say the eatery will be around for quite sometime.
“I think it’s here to stay,” Flanigan said, “and I hear more compliments than complaints.
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