Visitors to Bracken Library will soon be greeted with the welcoming smell of freshly ground coffee beans and warm bakery items. Beginning in the fall semester, the Bookmark Café will open in the space that currently houses the library's vending area.

Liz Poore, residence hall dining service assistant director of operations, said the new café will be operated by the Atrium staff and will feature Seattle's Best Coffee, a Starbuck's brand. Other offerings will include chai, hot cocoa and bottled beverages including soft drinks and milk, as well as seasonal drinks such as hot cider.

Food offerings will include breakfast items, sandwiches, salads, soups and packaged snack foods.

The café will also sell freshly ground coffee, coffee mugs and other gift items. 

The Bookmark Café has been warmly embraced by the library, Poore said, noting that the café will spill out into the library itself, with soft seating and high tables with bar stools filling the space adjacent to the café proper. That area will also feature a widescreen LCD TV playing advertisements for the café.

Inside, customers will place their orders at a serpentine bar, with plenty of tables and chairs filling the steel and wood interior.

"I think customers are going to find the space very warm and inviting," Poore said. "It's going to be a very relaxing and welcoming environment."

For those on campus, the Bookmark Café offers another dining option, Poore said, and students will be able to use meal cards at the café.

"It's always good to have the chance to bring something new to campus," she said.

The Bookmark Café is set to open Sept. 5. A grand opening celebration, complete with giveaways, live music and free coffee, is being planned for Oct. 4.