Sorry, pizza delivery guys: you won't be bringing lunch to anyone in the Peterborough Public Library again.

There are new rules about eating in the library and patrons can't order in fast food anymore.

"We were getting complaints that people were getting full, hot meals delivered to the study rooms," said library CEO Jennifer Jones.

Patrons were also bringing in greasy food that can sully books and surfaces, she said. Others were sipping beverages while sitting at the computers.

At a library board meeting Tuesday night, the board adopted an updated policy for eating and drinking in the library.

Patrons can still eat snack food or drink from lidded containers in the library - just not in certain areas, such as near computers (there are signs indicating the no-snack zones).

And no pizza or anything else that can constitute a meal, the policy states.

"Appropriate snacks" in the policy are those that don't leave stains or "have a strong odour."

It's the first time the library's food policy has been reviewed since 2006, Jones said.

The rules written 13 years ago expressly banned pizza, French fries, spaghetti and chicken from being brought into the library.

Meanwhile, the lower-level children's area in the library is a nut-free zone, Jones said.

Jones also told the library board at the meeting Tuesday that she soon expects to announce the imminent opening of a caf� in the library.

Before the library was renovated, the Natural Blends Caf� did business on the ground floor (and people were welcome to eat there).

A local caterer is about to open a new caf� in the library, Jones said, but she didn't mention the name because the contract hasn't yet been signed.

joelle.kovach

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

@peterboroughdaily.com