A newly renovated Central Library will open in June, and if you need a tall, half-caff soy latte while you’re there, you’re in luck. A Starbucks will be on the ground floor.
"We will be the first public library in the nation to have a Starbucks in its building," said Tulsa City-County Library Chief Operating Officer Kim Johnson. "We really see this as an extension of our library service and enhancing the customer experience."
The coffeehouse will likely be open earlier and close later than the library, which will be a perk for patrons.
"They can return their materials. They'll be able to pick up items they've placed on hold," Johnson said. "We'll have those services outside of the library proper near the Starbucks entry so customers can also have an extension of the library."
The library has a licensee agreement with Starbucks and will hire 18 employees independent of the library staff to run the store.
The nearly 1,500 square foot store will have outdoor seating. Right now, it would be the only Starbucks downtown.
