suffolk cooperative library system- reference and adult services division- pr & marketing...
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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
Mark Aaron Polger, Assistant ProfessorFirst Year Experience Librarian & Information Literacy InstructorCollege of Staten Island, [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
Department of the Library
Mark Aaron Polger, Assistant ProfessorFirst Year Experience Librarian & Information Literacy InstructorCollege of Staten Island, [email protected]
Signage is Meaningful and Necessary
CommunicatesPromotesDirectionalProvides Policies
Department of the Library
Mark Aaron Polger, Assistant ProfessorFirst Year Experience Librarian & Information Literacy InstructorCollege of Staten Island, [email protected]
Signage Can Go AwryToo many signsPoor placementUnclear/mixed messages Inconsistent designToo much textPunitivePassive aggressive and/or sarcastic
Department of the Library
Mark Aaron Polger, Assistant ProfessorFirst Year Experience Librarian & Information Literacy InstructorCollege of Staten Island, [email protected]
Signage Values I Have AdoptedPlain languageRespectSimplicityFriendly AccuracyHigh ContrastAvoid “No”- offer alternatives
Department of the Library
Mark Aaron Polger, Assistant ProfessorFirst Year Experience Librarian & Information Literacy InstructorCollege of Staten Island, [email protected]
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
Department of the Library
Mark Aaron Polger, Assistant ProfessorFirst Year Experience Librarian & Information Literacy InstructorCollege of Staten Island, [email protected]
Purposes of Signs1. Promotional2. Policy3. Directional4. Informational
Department of the Library
Mark Aaron Polger, Assistant ProfessorFirst Year Experience Librarian & Information Literacy InstructorCollege of Staten Island, [email protected]
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)
Department of the Library
Mark Aaron Polger, Assistant ProfessorFirst Year Experience Librarian & Information Literacy InstructorCollege of Staten Island, [email protected]
Preliminary AuditOutdatedLack of consistent design and brandingPunitiveLack of BrandingInconsistent DesignRepetitive and Contradictory
Department of the Library
Mark Aaron Polger, Assistant ProfessorFirst Year Experience Librarian & Information Literacy InstructorCollege of Staten Island, [email protected]
Removal
Department of the Library
Removed outdated and punitive signage
Removed signage that was text heavy
Removed handwritten signs
Mark Aaron Polger, Assistant ProfessorFirst Year Experience Librarian & Information Literacy InstructorCollege of Staten Island, [email protected]
Phase 1 of Assessment
Department of the Library
– Approximately 60 library employees participated
– Faculty and staff identified preferred font face, font size, and language preference
– Received buy-in from department
Mark Aaron Polger, Assistant ProfessorFirst Year Experience Librarian & Information Literacy InstructorCollege of Staten Island, [email protected]
Phase 2 of Assessment
Department of the Library
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
Mark Aaron Polger, Assistant ProfessorFirst Year Experience Librarian & Information Literacy InstructorCollege of Staten Island, [email protected]
Replacement
Department of the Library
Create templatesReplace with half the number of signsBe mindful of mounting and placementAvoid glare
Mark Aaron Polger, Assistant ProfessorFirst Year Experience Librarian & Information Literacy InstructorCollege of Staten Island, [email protected]
Before and After Poster Signs
Department of the Library
Mark Aaron Polger, Assistant ProfessorFirst Year Experience Librarian & Information Literacy InstructorCollege of Staten Island, [email protected]
Cell Phone Policy- Small Sign
Department of the Library
Mark Aaron Polger, Assistant ProfessorFirst Year Experience Librarian & Information Literacy InstructorCollege of Staten Island, [email protected]
Before and After Signs
Department of the Library
Mark Aaron Polger, Assistant ProfessorFirst Year Experience Librarian & Information Literacy InstructorCollege of Staten Island, [email protected]
Before and After Signs
Department of the Library
Mark Aaron Polger, Assistant ProfessorFirst Year Experience Librarian & Information Literacy InstructorCollege of Staten Island, [email protected]
Stop Signs in the Library?
Department of the Library
Mark Aaron Polger, Assistant ProfessorFirst Year Experience Librarian & Information Literacy InstructorCollege of Staten Island, [email protected]
Fake vs. Real (older generation of sign)
Department of the Library
Mark Aaron Polger, Assistant ProfessorFirst Year Experience Librarian & Information Literacy InstructorCollege of Staten Island, [email protected]
Use Real Images
Department of the Library
Mark Aaron Polger, Assistant ProfessorFirst Year Experience Librarian & Information Literacy InstructorCollege of Staten Island, [email protected]
Large Scale Poster Signs
Department of the Library
Mark Aaron Polger, Assistant ProfessorFirst Year Experience Librarian & Information Literacy InstructorCollege of Staten Island, [email protected]
Large Scale Poster Signs
Department of the Library
Mark Aaron Polger, Assistant ProfessorFirst Year Experience Librarian & Information Literacy InstructorCollege of Staten Island, [email protected]
Large Scale Poster Signs
Department of the Library
Mark Aaron Polger, Assistant ProfessorFirst Year Experience Librarian & Information Literacy InstructorCollege of Staten Island, [email protected]
Large Scale is the Key
Department of the Library
Mark Aaron Polger, Assistant ProfessorFirst Year Experience Librarian & Information Literacy InstructorCollege of Staten Island, [email protected]
Simplicity is Key
Department of the Library
Mark Aaron Polger, Assistant ProfessorFirst Year Experience Librarian & Information Literacy InstructorCollege of Staten Island, [email protected]
What To AvoidALL CAPS (yelling)Fancy fonts (not legible)SarcasmPassive AggressiveThreatening Confusing/ContradictoryWalls and Furniture
Department of the Library
Mark Aaron Polger, Assistant ProfessorFirst Year Experience Librarian & Information Literacy InstructorCollege of Staten Island, [email protected]
What To Avoid
Department of the Library
Mark Aaron Polger, Assistant ProfessorFirst Year Experience Librarian & Information Literacy InstructorCollege of Staten Island, [email protected]
What To Avoid
Department of the Library
Mark Aaron Polger, Assistant ProfessorFirst Year Experience Librarian & Information Literacy InstructorCollege of Staten Island, [email protected]
Getting Buy-InMight Take YearsListenCompromiseIn-Person MeetingsAwareness CampaignDesignate a Signage Contact (or committee)
Department of the Library
Mark Aaron Polger, Assistant ProfessorFirst Year Experience Librarian & Information Literacy InstructorCollege of Staten Island, [email protected]
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
Department of the Library
Mark Aaron Polger, Assistant ProfessorFirst Year Experience Librarian & Information Literacy InstructorCollege of Staten Island, [email protected]
Practical Tips, Tricks, ToolsDiscover TouchPoints/Bump PointsAdd real images (avoid clipart)ADA ComplianceAvoid GlareHigh ContrastUse Serif font (easier to read)
Department of the Library
Mark Aaron Polger, Assistant ProfessorFirst Year Experience Librarian & Information Literacy InstructorCollege of Staten Island, [email protected]
Practical Tips, Tricks, Tools
Department of the Library
Understand your AudienceAsk Questions & Use Focus GroupsDevelop a TemplateBe Mindful of PlacementBe Consistent (design, brand, fonts, colors)Less is More< 5 words
Mark Aaron Polger, Assistant ProfessorFirst Year Experience Librarian & Information Literacy InstructorCollege of Staten Island, [email protected]
Maintenance
Department of the Library
Weekly Signage StrollSignage is effective is kept currentOngoing AssessmentTry Different Sizes Revisit Signage Policy
Mark Aaron Polger, Assistant ProfessorFirst Year Experience Librarian & Information Literacy InstructorCollege of Staten Island, [email protected]
Challenges
Enforcing PoliciesMeasuring EffectivenessLack of Buy-in / Support Many Library Users Don’t ReadVandalismCulture shift might be slow
Department of the Library
Mark Aaron Polger, Assistant ProfessorFirst Year Experience Librarian & Information Literacy InstructorCollege of Staten Island, [email protected]
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
Department of the Library
Mark Aaron Polger, Assistant ProfessorFirst Year Experience Librarian & Information Literacy InstructorCollege of Staten Island, [email protected]
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
Department of the Library
Mark Aaron Polger, Assistant ProfessorFirst Year Experience Librarian & Information Literacy InstructorCollege of Staten Island, [email protected] of the Library
Mark Aaron [email protected]
Department of the Library
Contact me!
Mark Aaron Polger, Assistant ProfessorFirst Year Experience Librarian & Information Literacy InstructorCollege of Staten Island, [email protected]