Could your library’s signage do with a makeover? The session will look critically at many types of library signs and review the positive and negative aspects of library signage. We will also address how to conduct a signage audit and the importance of library branding. Dr. Curtis Rogers is the Communications Director for the South Carolina State Library and has been working in the library and information science field for 31 years. He has worked at the Union (SC) Carnegie Library, the Charleston County Public Library and has taught courses at the USC School of Library and Information Science. He has conducted seventy-six signage audits to date in South Carolina.

1. LIBRARY SIGNAGE: THE
GOOD, THE BAD, AND
THE UGLY
Dr. Curtis Rogers, Communications Director
South Carolina State Library
Slideshare.net/crr29061

2. Outline
• My library signage
philosophy
• How it all started…
• Library Signage 101
• Plus/Delta with Real
Library Signs
• Customer Service
Issues
• Equipment/Resources
• What about this sign?

3. Click on My
Network Icon
Press on the 'My Network' option in the bottom menu, then at the
top you will see 'Find nearby (OFF)'. Once you press the button it
will turn itself on (you will need Bluetooth turned on) then it will
'find' people in your network who are 'nearby'.
BUT
FIRST
!

4. My Library Signage Philosophy
• I want you to THINK
CRITICALLY about your
library’s signage and what it
means.
• Less is MORE.
• Compare your signage to
signs you see when you’re
shopping or at the doctor’s
office or at another retail
location.
• I’ll show images of REAL
library signs.
• Here’s a sign we’ve all
probably seen in a library…

5. How it all started…
• “Do You See the Signs?
Evaluating Language,
Branding, and Design in a
Library Signage Audit” by Amy
Stempler and Mark Aaron
Polger
• http://www.librarymarketingconference.org

6. Library Signage 101
• Positive
• Polite language
• Not verbose – get to the point
• Use library logo/branding (on
most every sign – it depends)
• No typos
• Correct grammar
• Font and font size
• Image that supports content
• Negative
• Handwritten
• Too many words
• Clip art – just. don’t. do. it.
UNLESS…
• Comic sans/Papyrus font
(another no no)
• Passive aggressive
• Too many colors
• Too much going on

7. 14/10/2019

8. 14/10/2019

9. 14/10/2019

11. Let’s Do the Plus/Delta!
I’ll read and describe some
library signs then talk
about what works (+) and
what could be changed (Δ).

16. The Library Signage
Audit
• Photos of every sign
• Compile visual report
• What is working well
• What to consider changing

22. Customer Service Issues and Library
Signage
• Library Signage and Systemic Issues
• Reacting to problems with signage – Something to think about:
• Does it work?
• Why or why not?
• Is customer service training needed?
• Let’s take a look at two signs I came across in a small rural
library branch men’s room…

24. HOW…
Could you help solve this issue with
signage?

26. Signage Equipment
• Laminator
• Acrylic holders
• Floor signs
• Outdoor/Street level signs
• Banner Stands
• Ceiling mounted signs
• “Permanent” signs
• Suction cup signs
• Neon Signs (Lighted)
• Digital (wall mounted)
• iPad/Tablet interactive display
• The following images do not
recommend specific brands – they
are for informational purposes only.

37. • Flickr
• Pinterest
• PRTalk Listserv
• The Accidental Library
Marketer
• The Customer-
Focused Library: Re-
Inventing the Public
Library From the
Outside-In
Resources

38. THANK YOU!
Dr. Curtis Rogers
Communications Director
crogers@statelibrary.sc.gov
(803) 734-8928
statelibrary.sc.gov | @scstatelibrary
facebook.com/crr29061
linkedin.com/in/crr29061