bad library signs with voice

Library Signage - What Message Are We Sending to Our Patrons?

Merely adequate signage identifies the resources in your library and tells people what they can and can't do.

Great signage communicates your competence, understanding and care for the people using your library.

~Chris Rippel

Bad Messages, Bad Signs:

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/jambina/3823819153/in/pool-librarysignage

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamthebestartist/3323869432/

Outlaw tape!

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/herzogbr/2436694602/

Last year’s laminated sign updated with this year’s taped on directional message.

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/travelinlibrarian/2551822558/in/pool-librarysignage

Where to begin?

Old tape, shabby copy, boring sign, poor wording (library staff are anxious…)

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamthebestartist/3323868986/in/pool-librarysignage

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/travelinlibrarian/296762296/in/pool-librarysignage

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/helenk/2072713239/in/pool-librarysignage

No Frisbees?

Noise levels above 100db discouraged?

Do the noise police have a device to measure the decibel level at this library?

No rearranging walls and shelving by patrons?

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/silversprite/2982997158/in/pool-librarysignage

Does this library not even have enough money for a decent copy of this motivational message?

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamthebestartist/3323868270/in/pool-librarysignage

Shabby signs tell patrons we don’t care about the message. Why should they?

Good message, problems with the sign:

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A good message deserve more than a sheet protector and a thumbtack.

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/trucolorsfly/2370749267/

Clear message, professional sign holder, no brand.

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenwaller/4011437387/in/pool-librarysignage

ALL CAPS is poor form.

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/herzogbr/3425682004/in/pool-librarysignage

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/annethelibrarian/3354325949/in/pool-librarysignage

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/ldjaffe/3318705176/in/pool-librarysignage

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/annethelibrarian/3188690770/in/pool-librarysignage

http://www.flickr.com/photos/annethelibrarian/3188691228/in/pool-librarysignage

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More than one brand for a library sends a conflicting message.

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/lesterpubliclibrary/2555146162/in/pool-librarysignage

Masking tape.

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/annethelibrarian/2396542433/in/pool-librarysignage

The teens must feel very welcome in this YA space.

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/midatlanticbulldogrescue/447822545/in/pool-librarysignage

I count over 30 exclamation points on this taped up sign!

Are all the different colors supposed to make this a fun message?

Is that Mickey Mouse? What about copyright infringement?

Tape residue is ugly.

A professionally made sign, but not ADA compliant.

Sometimes even retailers don’t get it right…

Where would I find … anything? Not an informational or directional sign in sight.

Ah, Fiction. Label overkill.

When labels get shabby it is time to replace them.

Good message, good sign:

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/bowmanlibrary/3328035039/in/pool-librarysignage

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/travelinlibrarian/3279151691/in/pool-librarysignage

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/travelinlibrarian/2333509636/in/pool-librarysignage

Emotionally intelligent message, professional sign holder, clear graphic helps display the message. Great job!

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/thegloaming/2716809311/in/pool-librarysignage

Sign substitutes for the non-readers.

An in-library homemade sign done professionally. You can do this with MS Word, a color printer, and card stock.

A semi-temporary sign in a professional holder keeps it looking good for the lifespan. Don’t forget to take it down once it has expired.

Emotionally intelligent signs appeal without preaching.

Way finding and directional signs are uniform and consistent throughout this library.

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenwaller/3557833873/in/pool-librarysignage

Even temporary signs should have continuity, consistency, and visual appeal. The human eye pays more attention to the colors than the logo of a brand.

Investigate: How are the signs in your library?

Plan: What are your signage needs?

Make and Take: Attend a CKLS signage workshop and give your library signage a makeover.