Effective Library Signage: Tips, Tricks, & Best Practices (July 2018)
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The document summarizes a webinar on best practices for library signage. It discusses why signage is important as a communications tool, how to conduct a signage audit, different types of signs, and guidelines for effective signage design. It also describes how the presenter's library conducted a signage audit that involved staff and student feedback. Based on the audit results, the library replaced over 60 signs and created design templates and guidelines. Continuous assessment of signage effectiveness is recommended through ongoing evaluation and feedback.
Effective Library Signage: Tips, Tricks, & Best Practices (July 2018)
- 1. Effective Library Signage: Tips, Tricks, & Best Practices Workshop An ALA Webinar Wednesday July 11, 2018 Mark Aaron Polger Assistant Professor & First Year Outreach Librarian College of Staten Island, CUNY MarkAaron.Polger@csi.cuny.edu
- 2. Webinar Outline ● Signage as communications and marketing tool ● Why is signage important? ● Why a signage audit? ● Types of signs ● Audit Stages ● Phase 1 of Assessment ● Phase 2 of Assessment ● Replacement ● Before & After Examples ● Do’s and Don’ts ● Maintaining Effectiveness ● Continuous Assessment ● Conclusion
- 3. The College of Staten Island (CSI) Library The College 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 4 year 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 Information Literacy course
- 4. Webinar Poll What are some of your signage problems?
- 5. Library Signage as Communications and Marketing Tool Signage is targeted communications: ● promotes Library events, programs, and courses ● outlines Library policies ● provides directions to Library materials and facilities
- 6. 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as well as to help identify issues that may be leading to less effective signage, such as: ● Unclear/mixed messages ● Outdated messages ● Too many signs ● Poorly placed signs ● Punitive or passive aggressive ● Inconsistent design ● Text heavy
- 8. Categories of Sign Production (optional) 1. Produced in-house (DIY) 2. Institutional (permanent) 3. Time sensitive (i.e. out of order signs)
- 9. Discussion Have you ever conducted a signage audit? If yes, what problems did you encounter?
- 10. Audit Results = Mass Removal As a result of our audit, we removed: ● outdated and punitive signage ● signage that was text heavy ● handwritten signs
- 11. 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
- 12. Phase 2 of Assessment Signage preference questionnaire (N=325) Students received 6 signs with identical messages in both old and new designs Students were asked to select their preferred signs Solicited open ended comments Incentive for participation: pens and chocolate
- 13. Cell Phone Policy Signs
- 14. Calculator Signs
- 15. Textbook Signs
- 17. Replacement Strategy Created design templates Tracked signage location Replaced with half the number of signs
- 18. Design Guidelines 1. Consistency 2. Font type 3. Font color 3. Sign orientation 4. Branding 5. Language/Controlled vocabulary 6. Tone (is it punitive?) 7. Visuals (photos) 8. Placement 9. ADA compliance
- 19. Avoid… ALL CAPS Clutter Signs with no images Walls and Furniture Visible Tape Handwritten signs Fancy fonts (not legible) Passive Aggressive Tone Confusing/Contradictory Signs Glare (ADA compliance)
- 20. Avoid all caps…
- 21. Avoid Clutter
- 22. Avoid Clipart
- 23. For example
- 24. Avoid Handwritten Signs Handwritten signs are: Unprofessional Unwelcoming Often illegible and are not considered official
- 25. Avoid Mounting on Walls, Doors, & Furniture (use frames, bulletin boards or easels)
- 26. Avoid Glare and Use Contrast
- 28. Avoid Passive Aggressive/ Punitive Signs Threatening message? Construction zone? All caps = yellingRed stop sign?
- 29. Create Templates & A Signage Policy
- 31. Our “Code of Conduct” Poster Before After
- 32. Use Real Images, not Clip Art Before After
- 33. Strive for Student Diversity
- 34. Signage Should be Large Scale
- 35. Use Friendly Language (avoid “no”)
- 37. Create a Signage Locator Map
- 38. Keep Track of Your Signs Fake Real
- 39. Mounting Tips Avoid glare 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
- 40. Mounting Tips Part 2 Mount at eye level Be mindful of sightlines Make use of holders, frames and bulletin boards Avoid mounting on furniture
- 41. Getting Buy-In Be patient Listen Compromise Hold in-person meetings Designate a signage contact/team Show proposed changes with supporting data Develop allies like student government
- 42. Maintaining Effectiveness Policy signs are ineffective if not enforced Understand your audience: >Ask questions of your patrons, use focus groups and partner with campus groups Signs are living documents! >Continuously evaluate signs >Assess bump points >Revise and improve signage >Revisit your signage policy
- 43. Webinar Poll Do you have trouble getting buy-in?
- 44. Our Challenges Enforcing policies Lack of buy-in / support Signs often go unread Vandalism Culture shift might be slow
- 45. Continuous Assessment In 2017 and 2018 we conducted new mini questionnaires and began a series of semi structured interviews. Interviewees were given trail mix and bottled water
- 46. Q1: Please rate your level of awareness to the specific library policy signs
- 47. Q2: Please rate your level of awareness of our promotional signs
- 48. Q3: If you eat in the library, what are some the reasons? (check all that apply)
- 49. Q4: If you speak on your cell phone in the library, what are some the reasons?(check all that apply)
- 50. Semi Structured Interviews (45 mins) Asked groups of students (3-5 students) Asked about feelings about policy signs Policy signage (food, noise, and cell phones use) Interviews were anonymous, recorded on digital recorders, and transcribed using Dragon software
- 51. Emerging Themes from the Interviews Food policy needs to be more flexible Students should use their own judgement. Cell phone use (speaking) should not be prohibited but allowed in designated areas Noise should be directed to specific floors (like zones) Policy signs are more effective when consistently enforced by library employees and security Students also believed that signs should be funny, have bright colors, and be very large so students won’t miss them.
- 52. Lessons Learned & Recommendations Be friendly and consistent Avoid jargon, all caps and the word “no” Develop a clear message with few words Incorporate realistic images (avoid clipart) Placement is key Create a signage policy Create signage templates Create a library brand Get buy-in from your department Don’t forget about ADA compliance Revisit your signs and bump points regularly Signs are living documents--be flexible and embrace change
- 53. Thank you! Mark Aaron Polger, Assistant Professor First Year Outreach Librarian MarkAaron.Polger@csi.cuny.edu 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.
- 54. Questions?