The Griffon News

Coffee is a college student mainstay and with the conveniently located Java City coffee house in Warren E. Hearns Center library building, student’s daily fix can be easily obtained.

Missouri Western’s campus dining services company, Aramark, opened the stand three years ago in response to student input and in conjunction with the library’s long range planning.

According to Julia Schneider, library director, the Java City coffee house has been a welcome addition to the library. In the three years since opening and the addition of the improved student seating area, the library has seen an increase in the door count of the library.

Despite library policy that prohibits coffee or food near the computers, Schneider said that it has not presented a conflict of location. The more lax food and drink policy is increasingly common in libraries, in contrast to the overall ban on food and drinks of the past. With local libraries such as Saint Joseph’s Rolling Hills Library adding coffee houses to their facilities, Missouri Western is staying at the forefront of library innovation.

While there have not been problems in the past of coffee being spilt on library equipment, Schneider hopes that students will continue to exercise caution.

 “We hope that people have covers on their cups and use those, and that students are as careful with library magazines or other materials as they would be with what they have in their homes,” Schneider said.

In order to comply with library policy, students are encouraged not to purchase coffee prior to working on library computers, or to consume their food and beverages before beginning to use library computers, as there is not a holding area. Students are welcome to use the seating area to drink at their leisure.

Despite the popularity of Java City, some students have found the stand to be something of a distraction. Chris Shove, Missouri Western Senior, enjoyed the coffee bar but would prefer a different set-up that won’t conflict with his study time.
“If they would separate it more, it might be a little better. It’s the first thing you see in the library, and the sound of the coffee machines is a distraction. I feel like I have to buy coffee because the lady is so nice, it’s kind of a guilt trip,” said Shove.

Pam Dameron, Java City barista has tended the coffee bar for the entire three years of its existence.

Dameron has found the coffee stand to be successful and an enjoyable feature in the campus library. Both faculty and students have reacted enthusiastically, and the stand has a devoted following.

“Students and faculty come here specifically to get their coffee, it’s really popular,” Dameron said.

Top sellers include the caramel macchiato, the white mocha and hot chocolate.

Dameron says that busy times vary at the coffee stand, and that weather tends to be a factor.

“If it’s snowing and slick sometimes it’s a little less busy, but I’ve been busy this year,” Dameron said.

Java City Coffee House is open from 8 a.m.- 2 p.m. on weekdays. 

There are no plans slated for an extension of hours.