As the library rules stand, no food or drink of any kind is permitted in the Law Library.  Apparently, the rule is a response to students’ tendencies in years past to subject pizza delivery guys to the incomprehensible library labyrinth and then leave the leftover food, boxes and debris lying about.  But it’s been hard these past years; sneaking food into the library can be a dangerous affair.  Nevermind avoiding library staff, placing a hot cup of coffee under a coat or putting an open bag of chips in a backpack are recipes for disaster, or, well, at least an inconvenience.

But rejoice!  ISBA’s leadership has achieved a social movement of historic proportions.  Professor Arthur Bonfield, the chief library rulemaker, has agreed to allow students to bring covered water bottles into the library containing any liquid that pleases the owner.  This would probably exclude coffee cups, mugs or anything without a secure lid on it; it would probably allow things such as nalgene bottles.

Bottles might require prior approval by the school, but efforts to get Westlaw and Nexis to provide water bottles have failed.  Beyond that, details are sketchy.  More on this story as information becomes available.