NYC School Librarian Guidebook: Library Signage and Displays
Signage
The mission of school libraries is to build empowered, independent learners. Clear and attractive signage will enable students to use the library both efficiently and effectively.
Signs may be used to designate:
- Locations and Directions (e.g., areas of the collection, areas of service);
- Information (e.g., chart of Dewey Decimal System);
- Research processes (e.g., graphic of inquiry process);
- Codes of conduct (e.g., expected behaviors); and
- Current awareness (e.g., upcoming special programs, new books).
General Guidelines
Color – Contrast is the important aspect in choosing colors for background and lettering. Most libraries prefer either a white background with black lettering or a dark background with light lettering. School libraries may use brightly colored signs to add visual interest in the library, but signage should never be obtrusive. The signage colors should be consistent throughout the library.
Graphics – Elementary libraries should consider adding visual pictures or symbols to the words on the signs for easy recognition by all students.
Size – The signs for locations and directions should be large and easily visible from a distance. The size of other types of signs should depend on their location and use. The relative size of signs communicates a philosophy of service. If the signs designating codes of conduct are larger than the signs about the inquiry process or Dewey Decimal System, that difference in size subtly tells students and teachers that rules are more important than student investigation.
Font – The most readable and commonly used font in library signage is upper and lower case Helvetica Medium.
Materials – Signs can be printed or engraved on every type of surface from paper to plastic to wood. If money can be raised, durable signs should be purchased from library supply vendors. You can also make your own computer-generated or handmade signs that you laminate for durability. You may use Velcro to secure signs to bookcases so they may be moved easily.
Attention to Students with Disabilities
To accommodate students with visual disabilities, signage should have high contrast, a non-glare surface, and raised lettering or Braille on shelf labels. To accommodate students in wheelchairs, signage should be placed at a readable height.
Signage in Spanish or Other Languages
If your school has a high Spanish-speaking or other-language population, you may want to consider providing some signage in that language.
Signage facilitates student autonomy in the library
Signage at MS 118X
Student made Dewey signs
Student created signs in the McKinley Library in PS 63/Star Academy in Manhattan.
Displays
Displays can be a very effective tool for building a climate conducive to learning in the library. Many of the merchandising techniques used by bookstores can be equally successful in the library. Librarians can use displays to promote, provoke, support and build a community of learning.
The most common use of library displays is to promote new materials or special library programs (“Vote for YOUR favorite mystery.”). These promotional displays can provide a cornerstone for reading motivation programs, library contests, student book clubs, after-school programs, author visits, or themed activities like a poetry slam.
Library displays can also provoke students to engage in personal exploration and inquiry. Featuring books on little-known but interesting topics, on areas of high student interest, on current issues, and on curriculum topics may induce students to investigate ideas they would not have thought about otherwise.
Library displays can support students and teachers by making the resources forcurriculum units more accessible. A combination of books and real objects may bring a topic to life for students (e.g., samples of rocks, barbed wire, telescope replica).
Finally, library displays can reflect and build a community of learning. Student work should be displayed whenever possible and changed frequently. The heritage and background of students and parents in the school community should be honored by special displays.
Be creative in finding places to mount displays. Many librarians use the top shelf of wall units for displaying interesting objects and face-out books. The tops of low bookshelves can be used for showing student projects and special book displays.Librarians have also used window sills, tables, slotted walls, and freestanding display units.
• Make sure that each display has visual appeal (professional-looking labels, books
displayed face out, colorful background or tablecloth).
• Provide variety in your displays by using tiered book easels, crates, and real
objects combined with books.
• Try to build in some interactivity to your display (letting students contribute
reviews, vote on choices, add their own comments)
• Change the displays regularly.
• Let students and teachers suggest topics for displays