Library Marketing and Communications Conference - Signage Presentation (LMCC16)

1. Auditing and Replacing Library Signage: Maintaining Effectiveness and Relevancy After the Project 2016 Library Marketing and Communications Conference November 16-17, 2016 Dallas, Texas Mark Aaron Polger , Assistant Professor First Year Experience Librarian & Information Literacy Instructor College of Staten Island, CUNY MarkAaron.Polger@csi.cuny .edu Department of the Library

2. Outline Why signage is important Why audit? Where I Work Purposes of signs Categories of signs Auditing Discoveries Mass Removal Phase 1 of Assessment Phase 2 of Assessment Replacement Before & After Examples Do’s and Don’ts Maintaining Effectiveness Adopting New Signage Values Conclusion Department of the Library

3. Why Signage is Important! Communicates Promotes Provides directions Provides Policies Department of the Library

4. Why Audit? Too many signs Poor placement Unclear/mixed messages Inconsistent design Too much text Punitive Passive aggressive and/or sarcastic Department of the Library

5. Where I Work College of Staten Island, one of the 24 colleges of the City University of New York (CUNY) Comprehensive college 14,000 students 204 acre campus 30,000 square foot library 14 full time librarians, 10 adjuncts 65 staff in total Credit courses New student residences Department of the Library

6. Purposes of Signs 1. Promotional 2. Policy 3. Directional 4. Informational Department of the Library

7. Categories of Signs 1. In-house (DIY) 2. Permanent (institutional) 3. Temporary (i.e. out of order) 4. External (for the public) Department of the Library

8. Auditing Discoveries Outdated signs Inconsistent design Inconsistent branding No branding Punitive Repetitive and Contradictory Department of the Library

9. Mass Removal Removed outdated and punitive signage Removed signage that was text heavy Removed handwritten signs Department of the Library

10. 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 Department of the Library

11. Phase 2 of Assessment Signage preference questionnaire (N=325) Students received 6 signs with identical messages in both old and new designs Students were asked to select their preferred signs Solicited open ended comments Department of the Library

12. Replacement Create design templates T racked sign location Mindful of placement Replaced with half the number of signs Avoid glare Department of the Library

13. Cell Phone Policy Signs Department of the Library

14. Calculator Signs Department of the Library

15. Textbook Signs Department of the Library

16. Do’s and Don’ts The Library should be welcoming. The Library is not a parking lot. Treat library users as people, not cars. Signs should not resemble stop signs Department of the Library

17. Keep T rack of Your Signs real fake Department of the Library

18. Create Templates & A Signage Policy Place image here Place text here College logo department name Department of the Library

19. Avoid Glare Embrace Contrast (according to the ADA) Department of the Library

20. Avoid Clipart Department of the Library

21. Create a Signage Locator Map Department of the Library

22. Embrace Simplicity Department of the Library

23. Our Code of Conduct Used to Resemble the U.S. Constitution We created a simpler R.E.S.P .E.C.T . awareness campaign Department of the Library

24. Signage Should be Large Scale (24 X 36) Department of the Library

25. Use fewer words Department of the Library

26. Be friendly (we try to avoid “no”) Department of the Library

27. Discover Bump Points Department of the Library

28. Avoid….. ALL CAPS Clutter Signs with no images Walls and Furniture Visible Tape Handwritten signs Fancy fonts (not legible) Sarcasm Passive Aggressive Tone Threatening Language Confusing/Contradictory Signs Department of the Library

29. Avoid All caps….. Department of the Library

30. Avoid clutter Department of the Library

31. Avoid clutter Department of the Library

32. Avoid signs without images Department of the Library

33. Avoid Walls, Doors, & Furniture (use frames or easels) Department of the Library

34. Avoid Visible Tape Department of the Library

35. Avoid Handwritten Signs Department of the Library

36. Avoid Passive Aggressive/ Punitive Signs Department of the Library

37. Getting buy-in Might Take Years Listen Compromise In-Person Meetings Designate a Signage Contact/Team Data supports decisions Partner with other campus groups Department of the Library

38. Maintaining Effectiveness Policy Signs are ineffective if not enforced Understand your Audience Ask Questions & Use Focus Groups Consistency (design, brand, fonts) Always revise and improve Continuously evaluate signs Partner with campus groups Department of the Library

39. Maintaining Effectiveness Weekly Signage Stroll Signage is effective when current Ongoing Assessment Try Different Sizes Revisit Signage Policy Tweak templates Assess Your Bump Points Department of the Library

40. Challenges Enforcing Policies Lack of Buy-in / Support Many Library Users Don’t Read Vandalism Culture shift might be slow Department of the Library

41. Develop New Signage Values Avoid jargon Develop a clear message Use few words Avoid “no” Avoid “all caps” Be friendly Be consistent Don’t contradict Create a library brand Department of the Library

42. Conclusions Signs are living documents Signs should continuously be evaluated Placement is key Consistency is key Create a signage policy Create signage templates Get buy-in from your department Don’t forget about ADA compliance Department of the Library

43. Thank you! Contact information: MarkAaron.Polger@csi.cuny .edu http://markaaronpolger .wix.com/hello Department of the Library