January 16, 2009
Library to unveil Delyte’s coffee commons
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- A simply “Delyte-ful” welcome back awaits patrons of the renovated and expanded Morris Library at Southern Illinois University Carbondale on Jan. 29. The library’s Welcome Back event from 2 to 4 p.m. will showcase Delyte’s, the new coffee commons just inside the library’s north entrance.
Those attending can sample a variety of coffees from Delyte’s along with complimentary Dippin’ Dots, the ice cream product invited by Curt Jones, a native of the region, SIUC alumnus and library supporter. Delyte’s, which opens Jan. 20, offers sandwiches, salads, pastries, fruit, juice and specialty coffees. Its specialty is 100-percent organic coffees, cocoa and teas. The normal hours of operation are 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, noon-7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 9 p.m.
The coffee commons, which, like the library itself, bears the name of late University President Delyte Morris, is one of the many changes through the $56.5 millions expansion and renovation of the facility.
For the new eatery, the library partnered with Chartwell’s Educational Dining. Delyte’s brings an added dimension to the library, said David H. Carlson, dean of Library Affairs.
As work is wrapping up on the library project, services and units continue their move back to Morris Library, according to Susan Tulis, associate dean for information services. The new north and south entrances are now open and patrons will find the new information desk open on the first floor. Instructional support services has returned to the building’s first floor and work is continuing to get the dozens of public computers in the information commons area installed and operational. University Honors plans to move into the renovated facility in early February and in coming weeks library visitors will notice the big move continuing, Tulis said.
“The project is nearing completion,” Tulis said.
A mid-April re-dedication will formally unveil the impressive new Morris Library.