Effective Library Signage: Tips, Tricks, and Best Practices
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Transcript of Effective Library Signage: Tips, Tricks, and Best Practices
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Effective Library Signage: Tips, Tricks, & Best Practices
WorkshopThursday January 5, 2017
Mark Aaron PolgerAssistant Professor & First Year Experience Librarian
College of Staten Island, CUNY
Amy F. StemplerAssociate Professor & Coordinator of Library Instruction
College of Staten Island, CUNY
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Webinar Outline● Introduction and background● Why is signage important?● Why perform a signage audit?● Types of signs● Categories of signs● Audit Results● Phase 1 of Assessment● Phase 2 of Assessment● Replacement strategy● Before & After Examples● Do’s and Don’ts● Maintaining Effectiveness● Adopting New Signage Values ● Conclusion
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The College of Staten Island (CSI) LibraryCollege of Staten Island is one of the 24 colleges of the City University of New York (CUNY).We are a comprehensive college and one of the seven senior colleges within the system.
● 14,000 students ● 204 acre campus● New student residences● 30,000 square foot library● 14 full time librarians, 10 adjuncts● 65 staff in total● We offer a popular, one-credit course
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Discussion
What are some of your signage problems?
What do you hope we address today?
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Why is Library Signage Important?
Signage is targeted communication with your patrons that:
● promotes Library events, programs, and courses
● outlines Library policies
● provides directions to Library materials and facilities
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Why Perform a Signage Audit?Performing a signage audit allows you to quantify and better understand your current signage, as well as to help identify issues that may be leading to less effective signage, such as: ● Too many signs● Poorly placed signs ● Unclear/mixed messages ● Punitive or passive aggressive tone● Inconsistent design● Too much text
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Types of Signs
1.Promotional/informational
2.Policy
3.Directional
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Categories of Signs
1.In-house (DIY)
2.Permanent (institutional)
3.Temporary (i.e. out of order signs)
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Discussion
Have you ever conducted a signage audit?
If yes, what problems did you discover?
What did you learn?
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Audit Results = Mass Removal
As a result of our audit, we removed:
● outdated and punitive signage
● signage that was text heavy
● handwritten signs
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Phase 1 of Assessment
Approximately 60 library employees participated
Faculty and staff identified preferred font face, font size, and language preference
Buy-in was challenging
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Phase 2 of Assessment
Signage preference questionnaire (N=325)
Students received 6 signs with identical messagesin both old and new designs
Students were asked to select their preferred signs
Solicited open ended comments
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Cell Phone Policy Signs
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Calculator Signs
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Textbook Signs
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Noise Policy Signs
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Replacement Strategy
Created design templates
Tracked sign location
Replaced with half the number of signs
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Design Guidelines1. Consistency2. Font type3. Font color3. Sign orientation4. Branding5. Language/Controlled vocabulary6. Tone (is it punitive?)7. Visuals (photos)8. Placement9. ADA compliance
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Avoid…
ALL CAPS ClutterSigns with no imagesWalls and FurnitureVisible TapeHandwritten signsFancy fonts (not legible)Passive Aggressive ToneConfusing/Contradictory SignsGlare (ADA compliance)
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Avoid All caps…
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Avoid Clutter
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Avoid Clipart
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For example
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Avoid Handwritten Signs
Handwritten signs are:Unprofessional
Unwelcoming
Often illegible and are not considered official
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Avoid Mounting on Walls, Doors, & Furniture(use frames, bulletin boards or easels)
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Avoid Glare and Use Contrast
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Avoid Contradictory Messages
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Avoid Passive Aggressive/ Punitive Signs
Threatening message?
Construction zone?
All caps = yelling
Red stop sign?
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Create Templates & A Signage Policy
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Embrace Simplicity
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Another exampleOur “Code of Conduct” used to resemble the U.S.
Constitution, so we created a simpler R.E.S.P.E.C.T. awareness
campaign
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Use images
Before After
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Strive for Inclusivity
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Signage Should be Large Scale
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Create a User Friendly Experience(trying to avoid “no”)
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Discover Bump Points
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Create a Signage Locator Map
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Keep Track of Your Signsfake real
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Mounting Tips
Avoid Visible Tape
Use double sided tape.If unavailable, create temporary double sided tape by looping regular tape together
Avoid crooked signs
Mount signs in a straight and centered manner
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Mounting Tips Part 2
Mount at eye level
Be mindful of sightlines
Make use of holders, frames and bulletin boards
Avoid mounting on furniture
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Getting Buy-In
Be patient, this takes timeListenCompromiseIn-Person MeetingsDesignate a Signage Contact/TeamData supports decisionsPartner with other campus groups
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Maintaining Effectiveness
Policy signs are ineffective if not enforcedUnderstand your audienceAsk questions & use focus groupsConsistency (design, brand, fonts)Always revise and improveContinuously evaluate signsPartner with campus groups
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Maintaining Effectiveness
Weekly signage strollSignage is effective when currentOngoing assessmentTry different sizes Revisit signage policyTweak templatesAssess your bump points
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Discussion
What are some of your challenges and obstacles at your institutions?
Do you have trouble getting buy-in?
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Our Challenges
Enforcing policiesLack of buy-in / support Signs often go unreadVandalismCulture shift might be slow
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Lessons Learned
Avoid jargonDevelop a clear messageUse few wordsIncorporate realistic images (avoid clipart)Avoid “no”Avoid all capsSigns are living documents--be flexible and embrace changeSigns should be continuously evaluated Placement is key
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Recommendations
Revisit your signs continuously Be ConsistentBe friendlyCreate a signage policyCreate signage templatesCreate a library brandGet buy-in from your department Don’t forget about ADA compliance
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Thank you!Mark Aaron Polger, Assistant Professor & First Year Experience [email protected]
Amy F. Stempler, Associate Professor & Coordinator of Library [email protected]
Stempler, A. F., & Polger, M.A. (2013). Do You See the Signs? Evaluating Language,
Branding, and Design in a Library Signage Audit. Public Services Quarterly,
9(2), 121-135.
Polger, M.A., & Stempler, A.F. (2014). Out with the Old, In with the New: Best
Practices for Replacing Library Signage. Public Services Quarterly, 10(2),
67-95.
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Questions?