Library Signage and Wayfinding Design: Communicating Effectively with Your Users

by Mark Aaron Polger

This book connects wayfinding and signage with user experience (UX) design principles to assist libraries in creating positive, welcoming signage that communicates effectively and efficiently.  Take a more user-centered approach to crafting library signage with this handy guide. Well-designed signage is clear, direct, and reduces confusion and frustration among library users and library workers alike—and also complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), bolstering accessibility. Using the principles and examples laid out by Polger, you’ll learn

Genres: Nonfiction, Library Science, Professional Development

160 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2021

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good foundational knowledge on user experience & design to benefit library users. Should be read by library administrative bodies as well as library workers/stakeholders involved in signage.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good foundational intro. This is a very very short book with short chapters, but it is filled with citations. I'm not sure how much "new" I really got from it, however, but there are some handy things I can refer back to later, like font size:viewing distance ratios. If you're familiar with info design or even just graphic design or web design, most of the principles will be old hat. However, this might be a good entree with colleagues who are not familiar with those things and maybe need to be.

There is probably more here about the history of signs and semiotics than one would expect, and there are lots of lists (resolutions for different screen types, font sizes, etc). A good chunk in the middle are case studies, often with before/after pictures from libraries that changed their signs, and some sample signage policies are included, too.

There is a chapter on ADA considerations specifically.

[Reggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good introduction to library signage but nothing groundbreaking.

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

For more bookish opinions, visit my blog: Craft-Cycle
Learn about user experience design principles to help make library signage more welcoming, effective, and accessible. The book provides information on the history of signs, research methods, signage audits, digital signs, best practices and policies, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Also includes case studies with the results of signage redesigns and examples of signage policies.

Some interesting information from an academic perspective, but much of the information was more focused on history and research rather than practical advise. It was worth checking out solely for the Signage Best Practices and Policies chapter along with some additional information provided in the Signage and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

If you're specifically looking to conduct a signage audit, this is a helpful resource. If you're looking to make signage more effective and accessible, I'd recommend just reading the last two chapters.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best (and only) book I have ever read on library signage.

[Jonathan Dunkle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not especially useful, especially for non-academic libraries.