Library Signage and Social Media Presentation

Library Signage

Library Signage & Social MediaGreenville Technical CollegeOctober 20, 2015

Dr. Curtis R. Rogers, Communications Director

Talking pointsIntroductions and presentation styleHow it started.Library signage is public relations.What is a signage audit?Signage exercisesCreating a signage policy.Effective library signage concepts and resources.

How this all started2012 ALCOP Conference(Assn. of Library Communications and Outreach Professionals)

Now Library Communications Conference

Library Signage and PRWhy is good signage important?Public vs. Staff area signage.Have you ever seen passive-aggressive library signs?How can we solve this problem?

The road to better signageVisit retail locationsLooks and learn from their signsBranding?Negative or positive?Handwritten? Printed? B&W/Color?

Making Library Signs NiceGROUP EXERCISE (10 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!Each group will have an opportunity to share their new signs.

Signage auditsHow to conduct a simple signage audit:Walk around library with cameraTake photos of all and any kind of signageUpload and view slideshow

SCSL Signage Audit http://ow.ly/qyMCH Created set of library signs in flickrWorked with Editorial Committee to review signsStill in the process of replacing old signs

What to avoid

Remnants

BeforeAfter

BeforeAfter

What is missing?

BeforeAfter

Before

After

Creating a Signage PolicyGet examplesReview with your librarys Editorial (or similar) CommitteeBreak out policy into components relevant to your library:MissionCategoriesDesign ElementsRequesting Library Signage

Effective library signageCreate templatesUse controlled vocabularyInclude your librarys logoDecide on set colorsDecide on a font familyLibrary leadership must be on boardEstablish a signage committee if neededEducate staff at meetingsAppoint signage contact(s)Post templates to intranet or send via emailKeep current (signage evolves)

Library signage resourcesFlickrPinterestPR Talk ListservThe Accidental Library MarketerThe Customer-Focused Library: Re-Inventing the Public Library From the Outside-In

BREAK Library Signage AuditOPTIONAL break time activityTake _____ minutesBy yourself or with a partnerWalk around the library and look critically at each sign you come acrossMake a note of GOOD SignageMake suggestions on how to CHANGE signageDont just say you dont like a sign. Provide input.Group discussion

PART 2: Connecting Through Social Media

group inputbrief history of Social MediaSocial Media in SC Libraries social media policiesimportant resourcesbrainstorming exercise

what well do...

can you name these popular social media icons?What is your social media experience?

How many social media websites do you think there are?

Why?How does your library PROMOTE social media?Other options?

How does your library use social media?

2001Wikipedia launches2002Friendster2003LinkedIn2004MySpace, Gmail, Flickr, Facebook2005YouTube, Mashable2006MySpace, Twitter, Google buys YouTube2007Apple releases iPhone2008Facebook is most popular defeating MySpace; iTunes starts App store2009Twitter is 3rd highest ranked, Foursquare starts, Wordpress reaches 202M users2010Facebook reaches 500 million active users2011Twitter and Facebook play role in Egyptian Revolution

http://www.infoplease.com/science/computers/social-media-timeline.html

have a social media policy

1. What are some innovative ways you COULD use social media for your library?2. What are some ways you SHOULD NOT use social media for your library?3. What do you think are the best social network tools and why?4. What are your next steps to use social media more effectively to promote your librarys services and events?brainstorming exercise

Comments? Questions?Thank you!Please feel free to contact me.

Dr. Curtis R. [email protected]