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Library Signage: Point the Way, or Point of Failure?
Nancy KressUniversity of Nevada, Las Vegas
7/13/09
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Point the Way, or Point of Failure?
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WayfindingMaps & Signs
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Wayfinding
• Orientation to building/floor plan• Find the book stacks• Find the specific book
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Maps & Signs
• Directional• Design concepts• Library signs
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Wayfinding Signs• Orientation-al• Directional• Identification
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University of Chicago Study• Lack of effective
map and sign system
• Problems with terminology
• Difficulty reading call numbers
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FMEA:Failure Mode Effects & Analysis
• Identify ALL failures in a design
• Study the consequences of failure
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Failure• Who fails:
the sign or the user?
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Wayfinding• search online catalog• record call number and location• identify floor and collection• find proper floor• locate proper shelving• identify correct shelf• find the book
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Orientation• Maps; “you are here”
• Wayfinding process steps:– Record call number and location– Identify floor and collection
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OrientationFailure
• Incomplete maps• Where am I in the
building?
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OrientationChanges implemented
• Maps created that illustrate entire building footprint
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OrientationFailure• Poorly placed
maps
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OrientationFailure• Where am I?
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OrientationChanges implemented• Single, well placed sign
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Choice of RouteKeep on Track
• Visual cues• User’s perspective• Information
• Wayfinding Process Steps:– Find proper floor– Locate proper shelving
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Choice of RouteKeep on Track
Failure
• User’s perspective not considered
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Choice of RouteKeep on Track
Changes implemented
• User’s perspective considered
• Clear visual cue that user is on track
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Choice of RouteKeep on Track
Failure• Visual clutter
Changes implemented• Eliminate visual clutter
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Recognize Objective• Information clear and unambiguous• Avoid library lingo
• Wayfinding process steps:– Identify correct shelf– Identify correct book
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Recognize ObjectiveFailure• Unfamiliarity with
Library of Congress call numbers
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Recognize ObjectiveFailure• Terminology problems
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Recognize Objective
Changes implemented
• Consolidate multiple collection into one
• Identify WHERE user is
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Conclusions• Identify points along the route• Clear design concepts• Consider the user’s point of view
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References
• Tatarka, A., Larsen, D., Olsen, T., & Kress, N. (2007). Wayfinding in the library: Usability testing of physical spaces. Proceedings of the Library Assessment Conference: Building Effective, Sustainable, Practical Assessment, Charlottesville, VA.
• Links to both University of Chicago Wayfinding presentations can be found at the website for the ACRL Assessment Conferences:http://libraryassessment.org/archive/index.shtml