Suffolk Cooperative Library System- Reference and Adult Services Division- PR & Marketing Committee

Mark Aaron Polger, Assistant ProfessorFirst Year Experience Librarian & Information Literacy InstructorCollege of Staten Island, [email protected]

Signage Tips and Tools : Engaging Library Users with Effective, User

Friendly SignagePublic Relations and Marketing Committee

Reference and Adult Services DivisionSuffolk County Library Association

June 16, 2016

Department of the Library

mailto:[email protected]


OutlineSignage is Meaningful and NecessarySignage Can Go AwrySignage Values I Have AdoptedWhere I WorkPreliminary Findings & AuditRemoval & Replacement Getting Buy-InRevisions/Enhancement via Focus GroupsTips, Tools, Best PracticesMaintenanceChallenges & Obstacles Lessons Learned




Signage is Meaningful and Necessary

CommunicatesPromotesDirectionalProvides Policies




Signage Can Go AwryToo many signsPoor placementUnclear/mixed messages Inconsistent designToo much textPunitivePassive aggressive and/or sarcastic




Signage Values I Have AdoptedPlain languageRespectSimplicityFriendly AccuracyHigh ContrastAvoid “No”- offer alternatives




Where I WorkCollege of Staten Island One of the 24 colleges of the City University of New York (CUNY)14,000 students 204 acre campus30,000 square foot library built in 199314 full time librarians, 10 adjunct librarians65 staff in total




Purposes of Signs1. Promotional2. Policy3. Directional4. Informational




Types of Signs

1. In-house (DIY)2. Permanent (institutional)3. Temporary (i.e. out of order sign)4. Internal (for staff)5. External (for the public)




Preliminary AuditOutdatedLack of consistent design and brandingPunitiveLack of BrandingInconsistent DesignRepetitive and Contradictory




Removal


Removed outdated and punitive signage

Removed signage that was text heavy

Removed handwritten signs



Phase 1 of Assessment


– Approximately 60 library employees participated

– Faculty and staff identified preferred font face, font size, and language preference

– Received buy-in from department



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

– Included an option for general comments



Replacement


Create templatesReplace with half the number of signsBe mindful of mounting and placementAvoid glare



Before and After Poster Signs




Cell Phone Policy- Small Sign




Before and After Signs




Before and After Signs




Stop Signs in the Library?




Fake vs. Real (older generation of sign)




Use Real Images




Large Scale Poster Signs












Large Scale is the Key




Simplicity is Key




What To AvoidALL CAPS (yelling)Fancy fonts (not legible)SarcasmPassive AggressiveThreatening Confusing/ContradictoryWalls and Furniture




What To Avoid




What To Avoid




Getting Buy-InMight Take YearsListenCompromiseIn-Person MeetingsAwareness CampaignDesignate a Signage Contact (or committee)




Practical Tips, Tricks, ToolsCreate a Signage PolicyCreate a Signage Locator Map Use Double Sided TapeGet Bulletin Board or Easel Avoid Walls and FurnitureEvaluate your Message




Practical Tips, Tricks, ToolsDiscover TouchPoints/Bump PointsAdd real images (avoid clipart)ADA ComplianceAvoid GlareHigh ContrastUse Serif font (easier to read)




Practical Tips, Tricks, Tools


Understand your AudienceAsk Questions & Use Focus GroupsDevelop a TemplateBe Mindful of PlacementBe Consistent (design, brand, fonts, colors)Less is More< 5 words



Maintenance


Weekly Signage StrollSignage is effective is kept currentOngoing AssessmentTry Different Sizes Revisit Signage Policy



Challenges

Enforcing PoliciesMeasuring EffectivenessLack of Buy-in / Support Many Library Users Don’t ReadVandalismCulture shift might be slow




Lessons LearnedPolicy signs are not effective unless enforcedGetting buy-in can takes yearsAssessment data reveals - imagesare crucial and signs must be largeChange can be uncomfortableBe open to try something new




ConclusionsSigns are living documentsShould continually be evaluated and assessedSimplicity is keyPlacement is keyCreate a signage policy or guideline documentCreate a signage working group or committee Get buy-inDon’t forget about ADA compliance



Mark Aaron Polger, Assistant ProfessorFirst Year Experience Librarian & Information Literacy InstructorCollege of Staten Island, [email protected] of the Library


Mark Aaron [email protected]


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Suffolk Cooperative Library System- Reference and Adult Services Division- PR & Marketing Committee

Education