Publications and Research
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
Spring 2014
Abstract
Signage is an essential way of communicating with users and is a vital way to alert patrons to important information, news, upcoming events, policies, and directions. Literature on library signage has emphasized the importance of consistency and clarity, to avoid clutter and contradictory messaging, and the need for buy-in from library staff, faculty and patrons. However, few scholarly studies address user preferences in signage. This article fills the void between theory and practice, and offers step-by-step details for revamping signage, specifically in an academic library. At the heart of the authors’ thesis is that library signs are living documents. Libraries are always in the process of reinventing themselves, and library signage must adapt to the constant movement of a library ‘‘in motion.’’ If properly designed and well placed, library signage should help create a meaningful experience for its patrons. This study is a follow-up to the article, ‘‘Do You See the Signs?: Evaluating Language, Branding, and Design in a Library Signage Audit,’’ which outlined the first stage of the authors’ signage redesign project. This article addresses the implementation of new signage, which includes developing best practices, a signage policy, gaining departmental buy-in, developing a signage map, and creating new signs.
Comments
This work was originally published in Public Services Quarterly.