Legal Research

New 2011 Library Signage Plea

By admin

A good opinion column in American Libraries that can spark some debate:

Signage: Better None Than Bad
by Leah L. White
Dec. 7, 2010

“Positive and welcoming, these are the essential characteristics of signs that are truly designed to help”

This is a good start on the conversation needed about signs in (some) libraries. I am lucky to get to visit so many libraries and I get to see many good and bad examples of signs. You can see some in the various flickr groups: Library Signage (2,589 photos (good and bad) as of today)

Here are a few worst practices that I see:

1. I walk in past a library bulletin board covered in glass. There are over 100 pieces of text dense paper posted in it. I wonder how many users want to read the equivalent of a paperback as they walk in, or, alternatively, why do all of these mssages and policies have no priority or design.) It doesn’t leave me with a good impression. It always appears neglected and is usually out-of-date. It’s often ugly with no attempt at creating a good impression. Is creativity stifled here? Like regular users, I wonder how many library staff walk by this every day.
2. I walk into a library with an open community bulletin board in the foyer covered to a level of 3-4 pages deep. No one appears to be responsible for editing or deleting notices that age. There is no sign saying that all notices are removed every month/week. Free newspapers are piled on the wet floor. It makes the foyer of the beautiful, new, award-winning, architect designed library look like crap. Every user sees this as they arrive. It’s the first impression they get as they enter.
3. I often see circulation desks that have fallen in love with the 8.5×11 plexiglas standing sign holder. I’ve seen up to 18 of these loaded with sheets of text dense paper that absolutely no one reads. Since there are so many, they lose impact and focus and, as an aside, they block accessibility to the staff and appear unfriendly (like covered wagons circled in defense) to users. Sometimes they’re creative in the use of marigold paperstock.
4. I see so many no cel phones signs. Think it through. Do you really mean no cel phones everywhere. Do you mean no texting? No photos? No online searching on a smart phone? No taking notes? No listenig to music while you read or write? Do you really mean that kids can’t tell their mom they’ve arrived safely to do their homework at the library or Mom can call them to check and not worry at work? Do we want to disintermediate the parent/child contact? Are the cel phone permitted areas clearly known and signed too? Either way, phones have changed and our signage and policies need to adapt too. We run the risk of looking like the unevolved with old signs.

So, two ideas:

1. Walk into your library today with the express intent of viewing the experience with new eyes. What signs do you see? Are they welcoming? How many are positive and how many are negative? Have they expired? Do they look nice? professional? Don’t forget to drive in too. Can you tell this is a library? I am surprised how many libraries are secrets from the street.
2. Perform a signage audit. It’s so simple. All you need to do is create a spreadsheet and make a list of all signs in the building. Don’t forget the alcoves, elevators, etc. Here are some suggestions for columns:
- Sign text/symbol
- Number of words (we can be (too) wordy)
- Negative, positive or neutral?
- Legally required? Safety issue?
- Location (floor, entrance, desk…)
- Professional, laserprint, handwritten…?
- Don’t forget emergency signs (‘Out of Order’ happens often enough to get a decent sign.)
Now just review them (it’s easy to sort on columns and see the volumes of types of signs) and look at the balance of negative to positive. What image and impression does this create for your library? Can humour be added appropriately? Do the old signs need refreshing? Does your library suffer from signage fatigue? Are users ignoring your signs because there are too many and you’re doing the equivalent of SHOUTING? Are you suffering form signage creep (you had a nice sign policy and it had gone into disuse)? Can you remove layers of ancient tape from the walls and tops of the desks, computer and catalogue stations? How many of your signs tell users what the library does that they may not know about? How many promote your programs with pictures AND text? How many tell users what not to do? What’s the balance? And, importantly, how many times does the behaviour occur that the sign might be trying to control? And, how likely is the sign to change that behaviour?

When you’re stuck, ask yourself what signs look like in other service organizations (retailers, airports, gas stations, etc.). Would Walmart, Sears or Nordstrom cover their front doors with signs telling their customers what not to do? Their sales are the equivalent of our program and service promotions.

I am not anti-sign. I just want more signs and services promoting what the library does – not what the users shouldn’t do. I want to see the signs doing their job in a creative and fun way that makes us look approachable and engaging. Less is more. And promotion signs (and READ posters) should be updated and freshened as often as your budget allows.

You can start with purchasing some acetone (nail polish remover) for removing glue and buying a cheap razor scraper at the hardware store for removing tape remnants. I bet many of you will find reduced clutter, cleanliness and a more pleasant work environment for yourselves and your colleagues too.

You have a great opportunity this week! You can start the New Year 2011 with a fresh look.

Give it a try.

Stephen

Full post as published by Stephen's Lighthouse on December 21, 2010 (boomark / email).