Everything about our Central Library renovation enhanced the customer experience, including adding the first Starbucks in a U.S. public library. Our Central Library faced the same challenges as many downtown public libraries, such as being part of a deteriorating civic plaza, and public perception as old and stodgy. Our location did not offer many nearby dining options. The renovation gave us opportunities to create a revenue stream and change perception to become a community destination.

During the renovation, we worked closely with the Starbucks company to determine potential profitability, to integrate an attractive full-service coffee shop into our building and to build a highly trained team for store operations. We planned for inventory, food delivery, traffic flow and the implementation of a for-profit revenue stream benefiting our library system. We also planned for collaboration with other major library activities, such as our Summer Reading Program, meeting-room promotion and library events.

Our Starbucks welcomes over 19,000 visitors monthly. Many are library customers, treating themselves to a delicious beverage, enhancing their library experience. Others are visiting downtown for other reasons and come into the library specifically for Starbucks. This helps increase our visibility in the community as well as creates a revenue stream to support our library. We’ve contributed to the revitalization of what was a struggling downtown area, providing a highly sought-after brand in our location.