Signs

Susan M. Albon October 12, 2020 12:03

We are a small library, space-wise (a preschool room), but were able to maximize that space in 2010 when we moved to our fifth location. We have approximately 12,000 items. We cannot use magnetic labels because our shelves are wood (made by our maintenance staff) and clip on labels have not worked (they are either to small or too big). The ones that have adhesive remove the paint when they have to be removed and shifted. We have therefore been using a label maker for years to point out areas of interest, placing the labels on the shelf edge. It's not the most professional looking, but it's neat and does help. We also keep a list at the desk of the most frequently requested topics and their classifications. We celebrated our 40th anniversary in May, but had to postpone any celebration because of the pandemic. We hope to have a floor plan available at that time (maybe color coded) to help everyone navigate the library and become better acquainted with what we have to offer.

Barbara Brown > Susan M. Albon October 12, 2020 13:01

Thank you for your reply. Our bookcases are wood also - right now we are using the clip-on labels. I also find that they are too small.

Linda S October 9, 2020 14:52

We're a small library of leaning toward 3,000 items.

Primarily, I'm working on labeling the shelving groups. Also, we have the major topic such as "Psychology" or "Biographies" on the bookcase. Because of our small size, and that we have the Children's Collection (books) in a sunday school room, and that the Junior Collection (books) in another room --- signs above the bookcases wouldn't be as appropriate for us. BUT I can see your idea for signs being an excellent choice for your library.

I'm curious as to your (Barbara's) library set-up & size. If you have a rather large library, I can see making sure that all are labeled on the shelves & bookcases, but including signs for the most popular.

Blessings, Linda S

Barbara Brown > Linda S October 9, 2020 15:15

Our library is very large and spacious with over 8,000 items (books/DVDs/CDs). We are trying to come up with ways to interest our members in the non-fiction books and a quick way to locate them on topics they would like to read. We also have labels on the bookcases. We have children/youth/and adult books all in one area.
- Linda S > Barbara Brown October 9, 2020 15:28
  
  Then .... as someone new walking into your library, I know that would be helpful for me and many others. I think you're on the right track!

Pam Grady October 7, 2020 13:10

I am also mulling over signs. My original thought was to do the individual horizontal magnetic shelf signs that go directly under each subject. But I'm now leaning more towards one sign similar to yours at the top of each bookcase because that seems easier to quickly glance at than bobbing your head up and down the bookcase shelves for the individual horizontal signs. I'm thinking that I will compile my bookcase signs into one larger poster, also.

Barbara Brown > Pam Grady October 7, 2020 17:52

I am thinking about only including topics the library team thinks people will be interested in and also based on how many books I have on the topic. What are your thoughts about what to include on your signs and what topics would you include?
- Pam Grady > Barbara Brown October 7, 2020 19:04
  
  I agree with this idea of only including popular topics and books in larger quantities. But it has me thinking that I don't want people to think those are the only topics on those shelves. So at the top of each sign, I will title the sign "POPULAR TOPICS:" or similar, and then list the topics in a way very similar to what you have shown. And on my poster, I would state that it doesn't include every topic. I haven't yet decided what topics to include. We just downsized from 10,500 volumes in a large space to about 2,500 volumes in a temporary space during our remodel. We plan to maintain 2,500 to 3,000 volumes. I noticed during weeding and moving our books that many topics are under more than one DD number in separate areas. I want to keep it as simple as possible, so my plan is to use the "Classification System for Church Libraries" and use fewer DD categories and as few DD extensions (i.e., 248.4) as possible. Our readers are usually in a rush and it would be best for our library to allow them to focus on one section. This will mean amending labels and card catalog, but I see it as a job well served. Being the overly something-or-other person that I am, I will probably use the Classification System book and type up an abbreviated list of those topics I will probably use most, and use for a poster and for our desk guide.
  - Barbara Brown > Pam Grady October 8, 2020 12:05
    
    You have some very good ideas! I have found that we also need to go thru our DD section and making sure the topics are under one DD. I am thinking of alphabetizing the topics and then putting the DD number, instead of the way I have it above - this should help someone who is in a hurry to find something quickly.
    - Pam Grady > Barbara Brown October 8, 2020 18:31
      
      Great idea on alphabetizing the topics! I like the above example you provided that coincides with each bookcase, but perhaps a poster by DD, plus a second poster by alphabetical topic and for my desk guide.

Q&A

Signs

Replies