The Starbucks in the library was renovated and updated over the summer so students can now grab their caffeine fix from an actual Starbucks franchise.

Anthony Williams, chief business services officer, said library baristas trained over the summer with representatives from Seattle-based Starbucks Coffee Co. to learn how to brew the official Starbucks drinks.

“Some of the employees have spent eight hours a day for two consecutive weeks just getting ready to be able to be certified by Starbucks,” Williams said.

Two other Starbucks representatives stopped by this week to approve the quality of the drinks being served.

Willliams said last year the library coffee shop was classified as a Starbucks Proudly Brewed, which according to the Starbucks website allowed them access to Starbucks equipment and syrups to make a select few of their drinks as well as branded cups, straws and sleeves for serving.

“Proudly Brewed has been classified as a lower ring of Starbucks, “Williams said. “We had access to hot drinks, but Brewed doesn’t have cold recipes or the use of gift cards or the full menus.”

The library Starbucks was upgraded over the summer to a fully-licensed Starbucks which now allows it to serve Starbucks pastries and the full menu. The renovations for the cafe itself was also apart of the upgrade.

Williams said the cost of the coffee shop renovations were minimal for ACU.

“How it works is actually our partner, ARAMARK, with the money they set aside to invest back in the dining program, is actually paying for the renovation,” Williams said.

Williams said so far the new Starbucks has already tripled in traffic and revenue compared to last year.

“I anticipate our traffic and revenue doubling this next year,” Williams said.

He said the idea for the Starbucks update came from student surveys and focus groups.

“Students have told us the last couple of years, ‘This is what we expect,'” Williams said. “When we use the data in that way, we’ve always been very, very successful.”

Several students expressed their love for the new Starbucks brews.

Alicia Adams, senior nursing major from Boerne, said the new Starbucks will make the library an even better place to connect with friends as well as make new ones.

“I think it’s going to be a great opportunity for freshmen especially to come here and not only enjoy great coffee, but to make friends with one another,” Adams said.

Nikki Mathur, graduate psychology major from Abilene, said she loves the new Starbucks because of the many new choices it offers.

“It’s awesome,” Mathur said. “We can have way more variety, sizes, snacks, and all the drinks.”

Williams said the renovated Starbucks will take Bean Bucks and Campus Cash and will soon accept gift cards.