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, CUNYMarkAaron.Polger@csi.cuny.edu

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

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Removed outdated and punitive signage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

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

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, CUNYMarkAaron.Polger@csi.cuny.eduDepartment of the Library

Mark Aaron PolgerMarkAaron.Polger@csi.cuny.edu

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

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