At 3 p.m. Tuesday there were about 10 people waiting in line at Zimmerman Library - and not to check out books.
Zimmerman opened a Starbucks coffee shop in its lobby Monday. It's the first Starbucks to open in a university library in the country.
Store manager Elizabeth Clark said the store had been busy since it opened.
"Today was the first day we were open," she said on Monday. "We were slammed for a little while there, so that was a little insane."
The project cost the University $300,000 and has been in development over the past year, said Bill Harvey, district manager of Starbucks.
Carol Scott, operations manager for campus dining, said the Starbucks at the bookstore was the first one opened in the University area in 1998. She said the shop in the library would not take away business from the bookstore.
"I don't think that this business will deter from the bookstore, because you've got two different points of entrance on campus," she said.
Student Jennifer Waldeck said she was concerned the Starbucks would take away customers from other coffee shops in the University area, but still thought it was a good idea.
"It'll bring more people - it's good for the students," she said, while drinking a white chocolate mocha latte. "Though coffee isn't too good for you."
The Starbucks plays music in its shop, but some students studying didn't seem to mind.
"It would really only bother those who have a preference to study in quiet places," said student Mallery Quetawki.
She said she never goes to study at Zimmerman, but hearing about the Starbucks made her want to go there.
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"I'm excited because I'm a caffeine-aholic," she said. "Coming in here actually made me want to sit down and study."
Two employees of Zimmerman, who didn't wish to be named, said the music can be distracting while they work.
Clark said she has been working at Starbucks for a couple of years, but has never managed her own store.
"I've worked for two years," she said. "But I'm basically new at this point."
Clark said about half of the eight employees are students, and the shop is good for opening up more student work positions.
"We're still looking to hire a couple more people," she said.
Clark said she expects the Starbucks to gain popularity.
"We're going to have a lot more people," she said. "We're going to be a lot busier - our sales will be better."
Having the coffee shop at the library has its benefits, Clark said. Students will be able to get coffee and go study anywhere in the library, she said.
"You can't really do that at the bookstore, so I think that's an advantage," she said.
While the addition of another Starbucks on the UNM campus may mean increased competition for locally owned coffee houses in the area, Scott said the students are the ones who benefit.
"I think you always have to have choices," Scott said.
Starbucks in Zimmerman is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The shop is closed on Saturdays.
