Directional, Identification, and Orientation Signage in Eight Southern New Jersey Public Libraries

1
Directional, Identification, and Orientation
Signage in Eight Southern New Jersey Public
Libraries

• A Presentation by
• Rachel Simmons

2
Statement of the Problem

• Public library patrons do not find what they need
  by themselves.
• Better signage in public libraries can help
  reduce this problem.

3
Purpose of the Study

• To discover if eight Southern New Jersey public
  libraries were practicing the principles of good
  signage for the benefit of their patrons.
• What changes were needed to improve the signage
  used for direction, identification, and
  orientation in the libraries.

4
Important Related Studies

• Creating the User-Friendly Library by Evaluating
  Patron Perception of Signage by Bosman Rusinek
• Signage and the ADA by Johnson
• Effective Library Signage A SPEC Kit by The
  Association of Research Libraries

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Research Design

• Applied research with unobtrusive, indirect data
  collection was used to discover signage problems
• Population consisted of eight central public
  libraries in eight South Jersey counties
  (Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May,
  Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean, and Salem).
• A checklist for directional, identification, and
  orientation signage criteria was used to collect
  data

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Problem

• Problem Are selected libraries practicing the
  principles of good signage for the benefit of
  their patrons?
• If not, what changes were needed to improve the
  signage?

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Good Signage Findings

• Signage design (typeface, letter spacing, color
  contrast, use of symbols, and color combinations)
• Signage readability from a distance
• Sign Sequence and Positioning
• Sign Terminology (consistent, effective, and
  positive)
• Flexibility (signs could be changed or moved
  easily)
• At least one directory near one access point
• Physical condition

8
Good Signage Cont.

• ADA signs could be approached without
  encountering an object
• Braille signage
• Non-glare on permanent signs

9
Poor Signage

• Sign system integration with the building and
  furniture
• Upper and lower case letters
• Signs designating various departments, sections,
  and services
• Vandal proof signs
• Directories per floor
• Directional signage
• Book displays

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Poor Signage Cont.

• Signage consistency for directional signs and
  identification signs
• Accessible elements displaying the International
  Symbol of Accessibility
• Perpendicular signs to the route of travel
• Permanent overhead signs lettering
• Installment of Braille signs on doors
• Braille signs
• 50 of the libraries were not ADA compliant

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Conclusions to Study

• The eight central libraries in South Jersey rated
  well in areas such as signage design, size,
  sequence, self-service, lighting, flexibility,
  and non-glare
• Improvement was needed in areas such as sign
  system consistency and integration with the
  library facility
• Some signs were missing and most libraries did
  not meet ADA standards

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Possibilities for Further Study

• Libraries could do their own evaluations using
  the checklist
• The checklist could be used at other libraries in
  the state or elsewhere
• Next time, the study could be done using
  description rather than percentages (qualitative
  research rather than quantitative)

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Thank YouAny questions?