Out with the Old, In with the New: Best Practices for Replacing Library Signage

Polger, Mark Aaron; Stempler, Amy

doi:10.1080/15228959.2014.904210

Cited by 17 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…The literature supports simplifying and standardizing signage design in libraries, indicating that consistency in signage supports intuitive and independent wayfinding (Hahn & Zitron, 2011). Researchers overwhelmingly argue in favour of libraries using infrequent signage (Barclay & Scott, 2012;DiMattia, 2005;McMorran & Reynolds, 2010;Schmidt, 2013;Serfass, 2012) that is strictly positive in tone and presentation (Polger & Stempler, 2014;Schmidt, 2015;White, 2010). Using high contrast for better readability (Schmidt, 2015;Serfass, 2012), with large fonts (Polger & Stempler, 2014;Schmidt, 2011;Serfass, 2012), and without much in the way of attached illustration (Howe, 2014;Polger & Stempler, 2014) is consistently argued to provide the best user experience.…”

Section: Signagementioning

confidence: 99%

Library Space and Signage Kindness Audits: What Does Your User See?

Warren

Epp

2016

Partnership

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This paper presents an overview of how the University of Manitoba Libraries adapted the concept of a "kindness audit" to identify and document space, usability, and signage concerns and successes across all 20 system locations. The paper includes background on the development of the space experience report methods and potential methodological alternatives when they may be appropriate. Emphasis will be on practical, low-cost assessment, and the right of users to be comfortable and self-navigate in library spaces. The results of the kindness audit identified several major trends overall: use of inconsistent homemade signage, outdated signage for technology and exits, lack of sufficient electrical outlets, and inaccessibility issues at service desks. General recommendations for adapting kindness audits at other institutions are to ensure staff buy-in for the project and do prior planning. As a result of this exercise, a number of improvements have already taken place at the University of Manitoba Libraries. Some benefits of the audit have included safety improvements and enhanced documentation for space-related lobbying efforts at the Libraries. Cet article offre un aperçu général de la façon dont les bibliothèques de l’Université de Manitoba ont adapté le concept du kindness audit (« contrôle de bonté ») pour identifier et documenter les soucis et réussites d’espace, de facilité d’utilisation, et de signalisation à travers tous les vingt emplacements du système. L’article inclut un contexte du développement des méthodes de rapport de l’expérience spatiale et les alternatifs méthodologiques potentiels quand ils peuvent être nécessaires. L’accent sera mis sur l’estimation pratique et peu coûteuse, et le droit des utilisateurs d’être à l’aise et de s’occuper eux-mêmes de leur navigation dans les espaces de la bibliothèque. Les résultats du kindness audit ont identifié plusieurs tendances majeures en général : l’utilisation de la signalisation inconsistante faite maison, la signalisation dépassée pour la technologie et les sorties, une insuffisance des prises de courant et des problèmes d’inaccessibilité aux comptoirs de service. Les recommandations générales pour adapter le kindness audit à d’autres institutions existent pour assurer l’implication du personnel dans le projet et pour la planification préalable. Grâce à cet exercice, plusieurs améliorations se sont déjà produites aux bibliothèques de l’Université de Manitoba. Parmi les avantages du kindness audit sont des améliorations de sécurité et de documentation des efforts de lobbying qui concernent l’utilisation de l’espace aux bibliothèques.

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Section: Signagementioning

confidence: 99%

Library Space and Signage Kindness Audits: What Does Your User See?

Warren

Epp

2016

Partnership

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“…First and foremost, view signage as a system (Brown, 2002;Larsen and Tatarka, 2008;Selfridge, 1979). Then there is the question of how many is too many, with most advice saying to have neither too many nor too few (Arthur and Passini, 1992;Brandon, 2002;Brown, 2002;Marks and Findley, 2006;Palmer, 2008;Polger and Stempler, 2014;White, 2010). Where signs are placed matters; signs needs to be short, clear, and installed where people need them (Andrews and Eade, 2013;Arthur and Passini, 1992;Baker et al, 2015;Beck, 1996;Beecher, 2004;Brandon, 2002;Eaton et al, 1993;Gibson, 2009;Larsen and Tatarka, 2008;Lushington and Kusack, 1991;Passini, 2002).…”

Section: Wayfinding Information Systems In Librariesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Consistency is key, both in use of terminology and design (Arthur and Passini, 1992;Baker et al, 2015;Beecher, 2004;Brandon, 2002;Brown, 2002;Dempsey, 2006;Hahn and Zitron, 2011;Larsen and Tatarka, 2008;Lushington and Kusack, 1991). When collections and services are relocated, signs also need to be relocated in order to remain current (Brandon, 2002;Palmer, 2008;Polger and Stempler, 2014). Signs are for patrons so library jargon needs to be avoided (Baker et al, 2015;Beecher, 2004;Brown, 2002;Dempsey, 2006;Larsen and Tatarka, 2008;Palmer, 2008).…”

Section: Wayfinding Information Systems In Librariesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Much of the library signage literature focuses on adhering to a signage system to maintain a unified look (Brown, 2002;Polger and Stempler, 2014;Serfass, 2012), which is an effective concept. However, this does not tell a library's staff about the types of signs their users need, how many signs their users need to have sufficient guidance, or at which point the quantity of signage becomes so many signs that users don't see any of them.…”

Section: Future Research Goal: Developing a Signage Formulamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Inventorying or auditing the signage is growing in popularity, with studies largely conducted in academic libraries (Eaton et al, 1993;Polger and Stempler, 2014;Stempler and Polger, 2013) but some in public (Mandel, 2013) and school libraries. Brown suggests that in an existing facility, staff should first assess existing signs, then develop a list of signs and their locations, possibly with supporting photos, and study the list to determine which signs to eliminate or replace and where additional signs are needed (2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Evaluating library signage: A systematic method for conducting a library signage inventory

Mandel

Johnston

2017

Journal of Librarianship and Information Science

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While there is much literature that directs libraries to avoid having too much or insufficient signage, there is no clear guidance on how much signage is "enough" or "too much." Conducting a signage inventory can be the first step toward determining how many signs a library needs, by establishing how many signs are in the library, of which type, and their condition. This paper proposes a ready-to-use method that any library can use to inventory its signage by adapting the inventory worksheet depending on factors related to the library type. The ultimate goal in developing a standardized method is that it would allow for, comparing results across libraries to attempt development of more specific signage guidelines or a formula that could calculate how many signs are "enough" and "too many" for a library given its type, population, and other criteria.

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How does the design of waste disposal signage influence waste disposal behavior?

Lenkic

DiGiacomo

et al. 2018

Journal of Environmental Psychology

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Out with the Old, In with the New: Best Practices for Replacing Library Signage

Cited by 17 publications

References 16 publications

Library Space and Signage Kindness Audits: What Does Your User See?

Library Space and Signage Kindness Audits: What Does Your User See?

Evaluating library signage: A systematic method for conducting a library signage inventory

How does the design of waste disposal signage influence waste disposal behavior?

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