presentation for public library staff development day

1. The Library’s Image
Dr. Curtis R. Rogers, Communications Director
803-734-8928
crogers@statelibrary.sc.gov

2. What we’ll discuss today
Image perception/perception of
customers when coming into the library
Why it’s important to have a consistent
look.
Signage audit/Signage policy
Dress codes – looking professional.
Library brand manual
“If you see it’s broken, fix it.”
“If you have time to lean, you have time
to clean”

3. Library Image Perception

4. How do you want
your community
to perceive your
library?

5. Signage
Be consistent
Conduct a signage audit
Create a signage policy
Create a signage
template
Be positive with
wording
Avoid negative
statements

6. Signage Policy
A signage policy dictates consistency in
language, branding, design, and overall
message promoting user awareness
and a visual identity throughout the
library.
Why is this important to the image of
the library?

7. Examples

8. Exercise
Take 10 minutes:
Put yourself in the place of the
patron.
Quickly walk around the library
building and look for
inconsistent/confusing signage.
Also look for areas that could use
cleaning or straightening up
Share your suggestions

9. Discussion
How did you feel when you put
yourself in the place of the
patron?
Was there any confusing
signage?
Were there any areas that could
be cleaner or less congested?
What are your
recommendations?

10. Professionalism
Why have a dress code?
In libraries with a great deal of interaction
with the public, image is very important.
Many people will be turned off by staff
members who dress sloppily or wear
clothing with potentially offensive images
or words.
This type of dress can also have a serious
negative impact on employee performance
as well.
If a coworker proves to be a distraction, the
other employees will have a hard time
concentrating on their work.

11. Dress Code Components
Some things that dress codes
routinely ban include:
tank tops, halter tops, or muscle
shirts
clothing with foul language or
obscene images
torn clothing
sweat pants or sweat suits
hats

12. Brand Manual
http://www.webjunction.org/
content/dam/WebJunction/Do
cuments/webJunction/HarrisCounty-Public-Library-SystemBrand-Manual.pdf

13. Reporting Problems
“If you see it’s
broken, fix it.”
“If you have time
to lean, you have
time to clean”
USE YOUR BEST
JUDGEMENT!

14. Thank you!
Questions?
Comments?