Wayfinding Committee

Members

Autumn Sunshine (Unlicensed) (facilitator)

Beth Filar Williams (Unlicensed)

Brooke Robertshaw (Unlicensed)

Dan Moore (Unlicensed)

Former user (Deleted)

Trevor Sandgathe (Unlicensed)

Goal

Update the Valley Library's signage to better reflect the needs of our users and current graphic design practices by identifying issues with current signage and implementing solutions.

Resources

Old wayfinding group wiki page

Wayfinding committee box folder

Includes signage inventories, papers related to library wayfinding with useful information, and ideas for new and innovative signage

/wiki/spaces/LibAdmin/pages/55443594

Index of Sign Types

Based on the preliminary signage inventory these are the types of signs we use. Expand for Picture.

Formats

 Blade (overhead signs extending from walls)

 

 Plaque (wall mounted permanent signs i.e. room numbers)

 

 Wall sign holder (holds changeable printed signs)

 

Additional formats (we don't use these yet but we could)

Usage

Accessibility

Directional

Informational

Policy

Promotional

Safety

In Use Now

Areas of Focus

These are the major areas of signage we will be working to improve upon, we will likely start with the major physical signage then let that design 'trickle down' to the rest of the signage

Physical Permanent Signs

Permanent informational, directional, and policy signs such as the overhead signs and room number plaques

• Carry out studies to determine signage needs
  
  • Use current data to find out what spaces/service points people are looking for
  • Language patrons are using to describe various areas
  • Landmarks they use for navigation
  • "bump points", places where patrons get lost and are looking for direction
  • Ethnographic studies to determine broader questions of how people navigate
  • Gather data from literature on the placement of signs within a building
• Determine whether to use the signage system from Innerface Architectural Sign Systems that is standard for new OSU buildings as a starting point or go from scratch
• If we decide to go with a firm do we use R3, JBeam, or some other firm
• Gather ideas for new and dynamic signage from other OSU buildings
• Gather ideas from external sources
• Decide on the language we will use for various spaces (informed by studies)
• Decide on materials/format/language
• Ensure accessibility needs are met by new signage scheme
  • Make sure all accessible locations have signage
  • Ensure signage meets and exceeds ADA guidelines
• Prototype signage
  • Library Graphics and Marketing can do preliminary designs for paper and poster board prototypes
  • Put up prototypes in areas that already have none/inadequate signage
  • Perform assessment on prototypes
• Conduct usability testing on new signage scheme
• Create a best practices document or wiki that incorporates
  
  • OSU interior signage standards,
  • OSU accessibility standards,
  • ADA accessibility standards,
  • Signage placement standards based on literature review
  • Sign manufacture specifications
  • Graphic design standards
  • Ordering, replacement, workflow guides
  • Room number directory (pulled from directory info)/detailed inventory

Instructional Signage

Informational signs that provide instructions on how to use equipment or resources.

Following the example of other libraries, we would like to condense the confusing and cluttered informational signs in various areas (i.e. microform viewing area, printers, copy room) into stylish infographic posters that will be concise and easily readable. Library Graphics and Marketing is able to produce library informational signage in addition to promotional materials. We will need to establish a policy and workflow for creating new instructional signage.

• Start by putting out a call for or contacting departments/area coordinators that have instructional signage in need of updating
• Consider placement (informed by lit review findings) and materials we will use for infographics (poster paper, posterboard, decal, etc.)
• Have Library Graphics and Marketing create initial production of signage
• Assess first drafts 
  • user testing
  • user surveys
• If everything works well propose a policy and workflow for requesting and updating infographics

Temporary Signage

Temporary informational, directional, and policy signage; often printed on copy paper and taped to walls or displayed in acrylic sign holders

We would also like to establish a template for short term temporary signage and a process for requesting longer term temporary signage that is produced through Library Graphics and Marketing and follows Oregon State University's Brand Identity Guidelines to keep signage consistent and official in appearance throughout the library.

To accomplish this we will need to:

• Put out a call for or look around for temporary signage in need of an update
• Have Library Graphics and Marketing draft some initial signs
• Have Library Graphics and Marketing draft basic templates/stock temporary signage (out of order etc.)
• Research and Decide the format of new signs (decals, copy paper, poster board, etc.)
• Research and decide on new standing/table/wall mounted sign holders if applicable
• Draft a recommendation and submit it to LAMP

Electronic Signage

Current touch and circulation overhead electronic kiosks as well as proposed future signage

• ETS and LEAD are working to replace the failing thin-client computers with an integrated catalog search and wayfinding map solution
• Consider moving circulation overhead kiosk to directly behind circ desk
• Look into feasibility of more functionality on overhead electronic signage at circ desk (using a small computer or remote solution (DLNA?) to add kiosk functionality to screens)
• How can electronic signage improve/replace static signage in the future? (portable displays, other innovative electronic signage)

Studies

• Decide what to ask, consult past research papers for ideas
• Some ideas
  • What were/are you trying to find (locations, services, items)?
  • What do you go to these service points to do (infodesk, circulation, etc)?
  • Try to find what you are looking for without using a map. If you get lost, mark on this map where you were lost.
  • Pick from this list of proposed new sign types which you think would be best
  • (Large blank space) Draw what you think our signs should look like
  • 'Ethnographic' research techniques?
    • Have students verbalize their thought process while navigating to set targets
    • Observe and note their actions while navigating
    • Have students journal their experiences as they navigate the library
    • Conduct exit interview to gain insight into student's other thoughts

Sign Coordinator

A professional faculty building manager position in LEAD has been created and the person to fill this role will be responsible for coordinating building signage

• Will likely be responsible for:
  
  • Reviewing new signs 
  • Accepting requests and generating signs 
  • Forwarding sign requests to appropriate person (ETS, Library Graphics & Marketing, external manufacturer) 
  • Ordering new signs 
  • Placing/replacing signs 
  • Creating and maintaining a sign log/database 
  • Routine sign checks and maintenance

Concurrent Projects

Other projects in the library related to wayfinding and promotional signage

Floor Color Codes

Victoria is working to color code the library's six floors. Areas around the stairwell and elevators will be painted to make it easier to identify floors, this will have a big impact on patron's ability to navigate the library and will likely inform our sign designs moving forward.

Learning Commons and Lobby Informational Posters

Uta has been working to have regularly changeable hanging posters with information about the library's facilities and services put up in the learning commons, as slides on the electronic kiosks, and in the main entrance lobby (/wiki/spaces/LEAD/pages/55218461).

Library Wayfinding Interactive Map CS Capstone Project

Three students from the Computer Science program have selected the Valley Library's proposal to create an interactive map to help patrons find their way around the library as their capstone project.

Kiosk Maintenance

ETS is working on fixing issues with the current electronic kiosks including fixing general reliability issues, restoring equipment availability listing on the circulation overhead kiosk (/wiki/spaces/LTD/pages/54870434), and restoring study room reservation functionality on the lobby touchscreen kiosk (wiki page)