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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
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
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
Discussion
What are some of your signage problems?
What do you hope we address today?
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
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
Types of Signs
1.Promotional/informational
2.Policy
3.Directional
Categories of Signs
1.In-house (DIY)
2.Permanent (institutional)
3.Temporary (i.e. out of order signs)
Discussion
Have you ever conducted a signage audit?
If yes, what problems did you discover?
What did you learn?
Audit Results = Mass Removal
As a result of our audit, we removed:
● outdated and punitive signage
● signage that was text heavy
● handwritten signs
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
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
Cell Phone Policy Signs
Calculator Signs
Textbook Signs
Noise Policy Signs
Replacement Strategy
Created design templates
Tracked sign location
Replaced with half the number of signs
Design Guidelines1. Consistency2. Font type3. Font color3. Sign orientation4. Branding5. Language/Controlled vocabulary6. Tone (is it punitive?)7. Visuals (photos)8. Placement9. ADA compliance
Avoid…
ALL CAPS ClutterSigns with no imagesWalls and FurnitureVisible TapeHandwritten signsFancy fonts (not legible)Passive Aggressive ToneConfusing/Contradictory SignsGlare (ADA compliance)
Avoid All caps…
Avoid Clutter
Avoid Clipart
For example
Avoid Handwritten Signs
Handwritten signs are:Unprofessional
Unwelcoming
Often illegible and are not considered official
Avoid Mounting on Walls, Doors, & Furniture(use frames, bulletin boards or easels)
Avoid Glare and Use Contrast
Avoid Contradictory Messages
Avoid Passive Aggressive/ Punitive Signs
Threatening message?
Construction zone?
All caps = yelling
Red stop sign?
Create Templates & A Signage Policy
Embrace Simplicity
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
Use images
Before After
Strive for Inclusivity
Signage Should be Large Scale
Create a User Friendly Experience(trying to avoid “no”)
Discover Bump Points
Create a Signage Locator Map
Keep Track of Your Signsfake real
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
Mounting Tips Part 2
Mount at eye level
Be mindful of sightlines
Make use of holders, frames and bulletin boards
Avoid mounting on furniture
Getting Buy-In
Be patient, this takes timeListenCompromiseIn-Person MeetingsDesignate a Signage Contact/TeamData supports decisionsPartner with other campus groups
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
Maintaining Effectiveness
Weekly signage strollSignage is effective when currentOngoing assessmentTry different sizes Revisit signage policyTweak templatesAssess your bump points
Discussion
What are some of your challenges and obstacles at your institutions?
Do you have trouble getting buy-in?
Our Challenges
Enforcing policiesLack of buy-in / support Signs often go unreadVandalismCulture shift might be slow
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
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
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.
Questions?
