connecting through library signage - beaufort

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

Pinterest

PR Talk Listserv

The Accidental Library

Marketer

The Customer-

Focused Library: Re-

Inventing the Public

Library From the

Outside-In

Thank you!

Please feel

free to

contact me.

Dr. Curtis R. Rogers

803-734-8928 crogers@statelibrary.sc.gov