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« What's the place of futurists? | Main | Dangerously irrelevant libraries »
Saturday
07Nov2009

Signs, signs, everywhere there's signs...

Signs, signs, everywhere there's signs
Blockin' up the scenery, breakin' my mind
Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign - Five Man Electrical Band

I walk into too many libraries with signs like this:

What might happen if we replaced our welcome signs with ones like these?

Where would kids learn best?

OK, let me have it.

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Reader Comments (28)

Hello everyone,
I have found your signs very interesting and I wish I could find a library like this:) on earth

November 10, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterChris Daniel

Thanks, all for the responses.

If we don't change our point of reference on service, I think we are deep do-do.

Johnson’s Library Rule Rule: Never have more than three rules for your media center:
be doing something productive
be doing it in a way that allows others to be productive
be respectful of other people and their property.

Doug

November 11, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterDoug Johnson

.....uh, I don't have any rules posted! I have a little overview during orientation where I tell my students that they know how to behave and the school rules apply in the library. I have a Q and A on my website, but I doubt any of them ever read it. I may seem like a pushover, but the kids all know who I am, they like coming to the library, and the teachers like bringing them. That means that the teachers are willing to collaborate, so we have a very busy library program.

November 12, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterKathy Noble

I love you upbeat sign!!! Would it be OK for us to modify it a little and post it in our library??? Please let me know!!!

November 23, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterL.T.E.

HI LTE,

Help yourself to anything you find on the Blue Skunk, including the sign.

Doug

November 23, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterDoug Johnson

Humm..... I don't think I have any signs in my library. I go over the "rules" at the beginning of the year and the kids more or less remember them. I just got 20 new iBooks so right now I'm working on "please don't leave your laptop lying on the floor"
The kids are very proud of the new toys so they get put away most of the time.

November 26, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterGuusje

Hi Guusje,

I am guessing the personality of the librarian has a lot to do with how many signs are necessary in the library. Must be some formula there some place! The fewer the signs, the nicer the person.

Doug

November 28, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterDoug Johnson

I love it, we need to change how things are done in the library anyway - too stuffy

January 30, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterAnthony D.

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