Facing Inward, But Looking Outward

It's never a bad idea to take advantage of the back side of standing acrylic signage, especially at a public service counter or desk.  On the back side of our "Summer Hours" sign at Circulation,  a set of 8 simple Work Guidelines have been posted to remind our summer workers of their various duties and responsibilities.  Proactive reminders such as these reduce questions, empower workers, enhance departmental workflow, and improve customer interactions.

Speed Limits

One of our most popular library services is network printing.  To expedite printing lines and avoid mishaps, we recently configured all print jobs to a limit of 100 pages, and/or 30 MB in size.  To convey these limits to our users, we added this simple visual reminder at the point of need (in this case, the release station.)  If limits change, a simple update to the visual is all that is necessary.

A Visual Device Marks the Spot

This archival folder marker serves a two-fold purpose.  First, it acts as a quick placeholder for the researcher, while also reminding them of the reading room rules for use (and copyright warning) on the reverse side.  A handy image of how to utilize the placeholder is provided at the top. 

Call Me Maybe?

Ever worked at the Research Desk and realized an hour into your shift that you never took the phone off forward?  This simple laminated card acts as a quick visual reminder that the phone is on forward to either the Research Office or Voicemail.  Over a dozen librarians regularly trade shifts at this desk, so accurate communication is vital.

QR Me

Stepping out of the office, but still want to be available to patrons? Try adding a QR code link to a visual sign on your office door. QR codes have been in popular use for some time, and can link to a variety of information sources - Website URL, YouTube Video, Google Maps Location, Social Media Site, iTunes Link, Plain Text, Telephone Number, SMS Message, Email Address, Contact Details (VCARD), or Event (VCALENDAR). Just go to any of the free QR generator sites on the web, to create a visual contact!

For additional ideas and information on the use of QR codes in libraries, see Robin Ashford's excellent article in C&RL News.

At Arms Link

As more classic library subject encyclopedias and indexes go digital, it can be difficult for patrons to discover and locate these once powerful reference tools. One visual workplace solution is to place the needed information right at hand - in this case, on the shelf where the set once lived. In the example above, a vertical shelf-marker is substituted for the withdrawn print set. It reminds the patron of the existence of the resource, and gives direction to its new location on the library web site.

"Purple" Priority Items

During a library disaster, one of the biggest challenges facing library staff and emergency workers is communication. To mitigate confusion during a disaster response, the library has adopted the use of bright purple "priority item" stickers. These stickers are placed on record and manuscript boxes that contain items of the highest importance to the organization. During a disaster, workers can be told to look for the boxes with the purple stickers, and remove them first. The stickers offer a quick and easy visual solution during a time of potentially elevated stress and expediency.

"Grab the boxes with the purple labels first!!"

Security Gate as Visual Minisystem

In discussing the four types of visual devices, author Gwendolyn Galsworth also notes that these devices may be combined into a "visual minisystem." She gives two good examples in her book on Visual Systems - a turnpike toll plaza, and a modern school bus. Both combine an assortment of visual indicators (signs), visual signals (grabs attention), and visual controls (limits behavior) to share information and allow a person to perform (or not perform) a desired task.

In libraries, the security gate entrance and exit is a good example of a "visual minisystem." The gate allows people to filter in and out of the library at a desired (controlled) area. It collects census information going in, and serves and important security role on the way out. If the security alarm is tripped, both an audible and visual signal is applied. This alerts both the patron and the staff that their immediate attention is required. In turn-style security gates, a bar physically counts patrons on the way in, and stops patrons on the way out if they trip the system. This adds a visual guarantee (allows correct response only) to the visual minisystem!

Visual Basics - 4 Types of Visual Devices in Libraries

In her books on the Visual Workplace, Gwendolyn Galsworth describes a hierarchy of four categories of visual devices. She offers the following definition - A visual device is an apparatus, mechanism, or thing that influences, directs, limits, or controls behavior by making information vital to the task at hand available at a glance, without speaking a word. Libraries and archives are full of these devices:

1. Visual Indicator - (tells only)
New Books area; Exit Sign
2. Visual Signal - (grabs attention)
ASK ME Desk illuminated sign; Security Gate alarm and light; Book cart “Ready to Shelve” sign (kanban device)
3. Visual Control - (limits behavior)
Hand-truck parking lines; Newspaper display shelves
4. Visual Guarantee - (allows correct response only)
Computer logins and passwords; Recycle bins (poka-yoke devices)

For more on Visual Devices, see Galsworth's Visual Systems pp.26-39, and Visual Workplace p. 14.