Conducting a Signage Inventory to Improve Accessibility at the University of Central-Florida’s John C. Hitt Library Rachel Edford, Instruction & Engagement Librarian University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL Abstract References Signage Inventory Recommendations Background Andrews, J., & Eade, A. (2013). Listening to students: Customer journey mapping at Birmingham City University Library and Learning Resources. New Review of Academic Librarianship 19(2): 161-177. Everhart, N., Woods, J., & Anderson, A. (2018). Project A+: Serving Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Academic Library. Retrieved from http://purl.flvc.org /fsu/ fd/FSU_libsubv1_ scholarship_submission_ 1524754052_db70ce00 Mandel, L.H., & Johnson, M.P. (2019). Evaluating library signage: A systematic method for conducting a library signage inventory. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science 51(1): 150-161. This poster documents the process of conducting an inventory of the current signage in the University of Central Florida’s John C. Hitt Library to determine ways to make the library space accessible to all users. This project was inspired by a presentation on “Supporting Neurodiversity in the Academic Library” at the 2019 Florida Library Association conference and the publication, Project A+: Serving Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Academic Library. The John C. Hitt Library is currently in the middle of a renovation project. Consequently, the need for clear signs in the new space is especially important for all students, not just those on the autism spectrum. In the summer and fall of 2019, I conducted an inventory of the current signage in the John C. Hitt Library and drafted a list of suggestions for the future signage in the newly designed library space. General Observations: • Each department in the library (government documents., circulation/stacks, technology) had it’s own style of signage, using different colors, fonts, and layouts • Signage for the main service desks contained library jargon • Very few signs contained directional arrows; most consisted of text only • Certain floors (government documents, second and third floors) had significantly more signs that others (fourth and fifth floors) • No directional signs were located inside or directly outside elevators on all floors • Create a consistent look and feel for the signage by using the same fonts, colors, etc. • Rename major service desks to more user-friendly language • Add signs inside and outside elevators to indicate what floor the library user is currently on • Remove signage that is inaccurate, outdated, or damaged • Consider forming a Signage Working Group to oversee maintenance of current signage and make suggestions for future signs The concept of “library anxiety” is well documented in library and information science literature, and one aspect that can contribute to library anxiety is confusing or inadequate signage (Andrews & Eade 2013). This is particularly the case for neurodiverse students, like those on the Autism Spectrum, who relying heavily on visual cues (Everhart, Woods, & Anderson 2018). In their summary of relevant literature on the importance of signage in libraries, Mandel & Johnson (2019) identify key elements of effective signage: • placement • consistency • avoidance of library jargon • use of positive language. With these criteria in mind, I used the signage inventory for academic libraries included in Mandel & Johnson’s (2019) article to conduct an inventory of the current signage in the John C. Hitt Library.

Rachel Edford, Instruction & Engagement Librarian · Conducting a Signage Inventory to Improve Accessibility at the University of Central-Florida’s John C. Hitt Library . Rachel

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Page 1: Rachel Edford, Instruction & Engagement Librarian · Conducting a Signage Inventory to Improve Accessibility at the University of Central-Florida’s John C. Hitt Library . Rachel

Conducting a Signage Inventory to Improve Accessibility at the University of Central-Florida’s John C. Hitt Library

Rachel Edford, Instruction & Engagement LibrarianUniversity of Central Florida, Orlando, FL

Abstract

References

Signage Inventory Recommendations

Background

Andrews, J., & Eade, A. (2013). Listening to students:Customer journey mapping at Birmingham CityUniversity Library and Learning Resources. New Reviewof Academic Librarianship 19(2): 161-177.

Everhart, N., Woods, J., & Anderson, A. (2018). Project A+:Serving Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder in theAcademic Library. Retrieved from http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/ fd/FSU_libsubv1_ scholarship_submission_1524754052_db70ce00

Mandel, L.H., & Johnson, M.P. (2019). Evaluating librarysignage: A systematic method for conducting a librarysignage inventory. Journal of Librarianship andInformation Science 51(1): 150-161.

This poster documents the process of conducting aninventory of the current signage in the University ofCentral Florida’s John C. Hitt Library to determineways to make the library space accessible to all users.This project was inspired by a presentation on“Supporting Neurodiversity in the Academic Library” atthe 2019 Florida Library Association conference andthe publication, Project A+: Serving Students withAutism Spectrum Disorder in the Academic Library.The John C. Hitt Library is currently in the middle of arenovation project. Consequently, the need for clearsigns in the new space is especially important for allstudents, not just those on the autism spectrum. In thesummer and fall of 2019, I conducted an inventory ofthe current signage in the John C. Hitt Library anddrafted a list of suggestions for the future signage inthe newly designed library space.

General Observations:

• Each department in the library (government documents., circulation/stacks,technology) had it’s own style of signage, using different colors, fonts, andlayouts

• Signage for the main service desks contained library jargon• Very few signs contained directional arrows; most consisted of text only• Certain floors (government documents, second and third floors) had

significantly more signs that others (fourth and fifth floors)• No directional signs were located inside or directly outside elevators on all

floors

• Create a consistent look and feel for the signage byusing the same fonts, colors, etc.

• Rename major service desks to more user-friendlylanguage

• Add signs inside and outside elevators to indicatewhat floor the library user is currently on

• Remove signage that is inaccurate, outdated, ordamaged

• Consider forming a Signage Working Group tooversee maintenance of current signage and makesuggestions for future signs

The concept of “library anxiety” is well documented inlibrary and information science literature, and oneaspect that can contribute to library anxiety isconfusing or inadequate signage (Andrews & Eade2013). This is particularly the case for neurodiversestudents, like those on the Autism Spectrum, whorelying heavily on visual cues (Everhart, Woods, &Anderson 2018). In their summary of relevant literatureon the importance of signage in libraries, Mandel &Johnson (2019) identify key elements of effectivesignage:

• placement• consistency• avoidance of library jargon• use of positive language.

With these criteria in mind, I used the signageinventory for academic libraries included in Mandel &Johnson’s (2019) article to conduct an inventory of thecurrent signage in the John C. Hitt Library.