Library display graphics
Libraries change their stock weekly, their events monthly and their signage almost never. Good graphics can catch up with what the building now does.
Start at the end of the shelves.
Shelf ends are the most useful blank walls in the building, and they face people as they walk in. Better still, most library shelving is painted steel. That means a printed panel with magnetic tape on the back can be moved in seconds, with no drilling, no sticky residue and no call to facilities. When a collection shifts, the sign shifts with it.
Check that your shelving really is steel, as wood-faced ends need a different approach. A thin, light board works best, because a magnet only holds so much.
A library is several rooms in one
| Zone | What people need | What to print |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance | What is on, and where to go | A floor plan, plus one changing event poster |
| Adult lending | Finding a section fast | Clear shelf-end category panels |
| Children's library | Fun, and things at their own height | Low wall vinyl, and characters or themes you have rights to use |
| Study space | Quiet, few distractions | Calm, plain signs. Leave the rest alone |
| Community and IT rooms | To know what the room offers | Door vinyl and short how-to notices |
| Local studies | A sense of place | Enlarged archive images and maps |
Your own archive is the best artwork
Many library services hold old photographs and maps of their area, and these are often more striking than anything you could buy. A large print of the high street a century ago draws people in. You will need to check the rights and the condition of each item. Delicate originals can be photographed without handling stress, and large map printing explains what to consider with detailed plans.
Planning a reading campaign
Summer reading schemes and book weeks return every year, so build a display you can reuse.
- Choose one strong headline panel with no date on it.
- Add small, changeable posters for dates and authors.
- Use a roller banner at the door during the campaign.
- Put everything in a labelled tube or box for next year.
Words that everyone can read
Libraries serve people with low vision, people learning English and children starting to read. Use plain words, generous type and strong contrast, and avoid setting text over photographs. Print an A4 test and try it at the distance people will really stand. Your authority's accessibility lead can tell you if it has standards to meet. Non-glare finishes help too, as there are usually many ceiling lights and windows. See gloss or matt lamination.
Budget tip
Posters for several branches can share a volume rate if they are one size and go in one order, even when each carries a different design. Send us the full list and we will quote.
Panels people stop to read.
Your questions.
Can you make shelf-end signs that are easy to update?
Yes. Magnetic panels on steel ends can be swapped by staff. Keep category titles on their own panels, so one change does not mean reprinting a full set.
Can you print book covers on displays?
Book jackets are copyright material, so check what you are allowed to reproduce. Publishers and suppliers often provide promotional images for libraries.
What works for a mobile display that goes round branches?
Roller banners and light panels travel well, as they are simple to carry. Keep the content general so it makes sense at each site.