The good, the bad and the ugly. Dr. Curtis R. Rogers, Communications Director
Jul 15, 2015
The good, the bad and the ugly.
Dr. Curtis R. Rogers, Communications Director
About me & presentation style
How it started Library signage is
public relations What is a signage
audit? Signage exercises Creating a signage
policy Effective library signage
concepts and resources
2012
ALCOP
Conference (Assn. of Library
Communications
and Outreach
Professionals)
Now – Library
Communications
Conference
Why is good signage
important?
Public vs. Staff area
signage.
Have you ever seen
passive-aggressive
library signs?
How can we solve
this problem?
Visit retail locations
Look and learn from
their signs
Branding?
Negative or positive?
Handwritten?
Printed? B&W/Color?
GROUP EXERCISE (5 minutes)
Each group receives real life library signs.
Think of how to reword the sign to make it
more friendly and have fewer words (use
back of sheet).
Remember: Keep it Simple!
Share new signs.
How to conduct a simple signage audit:1. Walk around
library with camera
2. Take photos of all and any kind of signage
3. Upload and view slideshow
SCSL Signage Audit
http://ow.ly/qyMCH
• Created set of
library signs in
flickr
• Worked with
Editorial
Committee to
review signs
• Still in the
process of
replacing old
signs…
Remnants
Before
After
BeforeAfter
Before
After
Before
After
Get examples Review with your
library’s Editorial (or similar) Committee
Break out policy into components relevant to your library:• Mission
• Categories
• Design Elements
• Requesting Library Signage
Create templates Use controlled
vocabulary Include your library’s
logo Decide on set colors Decide on a font
family Library leadership
must be on board
Establish a signage committee if needed
Educate staff at meetings
Appoint signage contact(s)
Post templates to intranet or send via email
Keep current (signage evolves)
Take 5 minutes By yourself or with a
partner Walk around the library and
look critically at signs you come across
Make a note of GOOD Signage
Make suggestions on how to CHANGE signage
Don’t just say you don’t like a sign. Provide input.
Group discussion
Flickr
PR Talk Listserv
The Accidental Library
Marketer
The Customer-
Focused Library: Re-
Inventing the Public
Library From the
Outside-In