School Libraries in Action Series

Creating vibrant library spaces

The Entrance – what messages do you send?

Submitted by Barbara Combes

These ideas have been collated from a workshop session held at the 2010 SLAQ/IASL Conference held in Brisbane, 2010. The ideas are not exhaustive. Many thanks to the delegates who participated and are responsible for some great ideas.

What messages does your entrance send to your school community?
Welcome!
Here we are!
Great things are happening in here!
Come in!

Finding the Library

  • Branding/badging – name clear on the door
  • For libraries located upstairs – signage at the bottom of the stairs, step signage, footprints leading the way, wall displays/posters up the stairwell, flags from the balcony.
  • Signage from outside to direct people in. big one inside to welcome, movable stand – latest events/what’s happening - need to change regularly, preferably daily, must be someone’s responsibility – students?
  • Vinyl signage on entry door or as a frame for the door – words like inquire, create, design, research, innovate, read (change the words and the colours each term)

Signage

  • Welcome banner
  • Doors open (leave open)
  • Notice board in foyer of school, highlighting events eg Maths Week. Needs to change regularly, preferably weekly, must be someone’s responsibility – students?
  • Welcome – multiple languages representing all ethnic/cultural groups in the school.
  • Sandblasted stickers (vinyl), large font, multiple languages.
  • Use Wordle to create a colourful welcome word cloud using different languages – colour print and laminate. http://www.wordle.net/
  • When the library is closed for morning tea – new sign reads – “Down the rabbit hole with Alice and the Mad Hatter for afternoon tea”
  • Welcome sign – prominently displayed in the front window
  • Visible lettering for signage, welcoming special visitors, uncluttered activity board - need to change regularly, preferably daily, must be someone’s responsibility – students?

Using Technology

  • Electronic message board – must be someone’s responsibility to update this, preferably daily.
  • Booking diary for teachers – on front desk, pin up board at entrance, electronic using SharePoint (MS Office software)
  • Screen attached to slide show – from CMIS blog (subscribe to for free), focus on fiction from around the world http://cmisevalff.edublogs.org/
  • TV showing celebration of student work/activities - need to change regularly, preferably weekly, must be someone’s responsibility – students?
  • Digital photoframe - need to change regularly, preferably weekly, must be someone’s responsibility – students?
  • TV display – book trailers (student produced), student interviews

Displays

  • Pyramid display shelves
  • Colourful displays – needs to change regularly, preferably weekly, must be someone’s responsibility – students?
  • Entrance pin-board – advertising lunchtime activities need to change regularly, preferably daily, must be someone’s responsibility – students?
  • Books facing out
  • Colour photocopy of new book covers and place on door with an invitation to come in and reserve them – check copyright before you do this. Some Aboriginal artists will not allow copying of their artworks under any circumstances. Needs to change regularly, preferably weekly, must be someone’s responsibility – students?
  • Eye-catching display on something current/new. Needs to change regularly, preferably weekly, must be someone’s responsibility – students?
  • Showcase student work at entry
  • New books, new resources
  • Changing displays and notice board - need to change regularly, preferably daily, must be someone’s responsibility – students?
  • New display just inside door - need to change regularly, preferably daily, must be someone’s responsibility – students?
  • Focus display on topical issues, special events, genres - New display just inside door - need to change regularly, preferably daily, must be someone’s responsibility – students?
  • Open display area at entry
  • Entrance displays – Chinese lanterns, current days/themes/events - need to change regularly, preferably daily, must be someone’s responsibility – students?

Comfort

  • Place couches (red/colourful, heart-shaped) in the entrance – welcome to this space. Make sure OSH is observed and exits are clear.
  • Plants and display of new books – creates ambient space.
  • Coffee table and book display = comfort
  • Arrange furniture in interesting ways to invite usage
  • Appealing entrance – soft furnishings.

See also: Introducing light

Last updated 15 December 2010