FARMINGTON — Mantor Library at the University of Maine at Farmington opened a new coffee bar early Friday morning.

UMF President Kathryn A. Foster bought senior Nathan Libby of Lincoln the first cup of latte purchased from the new addition at 7:30 a.m.

Foster sent out an invitation to students and faculty, offering to buy the first cup for everyone who showed up for the opening of the Mantor Library Coffee Bar.

“You’re going to cost me,” she said to the growing line filling the library entrance. “But it’s worth it.”

The traditional library silence has given way to opportunities for tutoring, academic assistance, computer technical help and now coffee on the first floor, said Fred Brittain, chief operating officer for UMF.

“We listened to what the students wanted,” he said.

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The changes have already doubled the library’s traffic from last year, he said. 

The changes reflect an effort to keep students actively using the library and the resources it has to offer.

The coffee bar, open Monday through Friday, offers a variety of coffees, bagels, muffins, juices, yogurt and fruit. 

The new bar falls under the auspices of the campus dining service, Aramark. Director Andrew Hutchins stood by, taking orders for the hot beverages.

The eventual plan is to make the coffee bar a student-managed operation. Aramark will help train and provide the necessary stock, Brittain said.

abryant@sunjournal.com


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