Categories Library Spaces

cell phone sign Originally uploaded by davidking.

Sarah sent me this note and some images and said I could blog them. Thanks Sarah! Dear Michael: A colleague and I were teaching a class called “Cyber Six Pack” about 2.0 tools and I was thrown by the signs that were posted in the computer lab where we taught. Granted, these were in a computer lab in a community college’s library…but they suck the fun out of spending time on the computer at school. Photos were taken with my 3-year-old cell phone, so they aren’t the best quality. Number 1: “Absolutely No!” Number 2: What constitutes as “extended Web […]

marysville Originally uploaded by yarmando. Via Don Yarmon – Thanks Don! (I use this in almost every presentation I give!) Marysville Public Library, Ohio. These computers have a special rule set that lets game sites through the Internet content filter.

Can’t be Too Careful With Your Signs Originally uploaded by Alan Gray. No VOIP here! (Courtesy of Alan Gray) What story is this library telling about how they view technology?

Alan Gray from Darien PL is blogging! This post caught my eye: http://www.darienlibrary.org/staffpages/gray/blog/archives/2006/08/siege_warfare.html Alan discusses the reference desk as a barrier or stronghold against patrons. he uses a photo illustration to show the reference area of his library as a fortress. He then notes that the NEW Darien Library will be different: What they’ve decided is that we are NOT going to have a desk or any kind of barrier, but that reference librarians will work in partnership with patrons at reference “pods.” Truly, we don’t have a clue what they are going to be like exactly (we have done […]

Don’t miss: http://blogaboutlibraries.com/2006/08/signs_17.html and Michael Sauers’ Library Signage group at Flickr! I’m glad to see so much discussion about signs and the stories they tell — and the excellent examples of good signs showing up at Flickr! Take a look at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/curtisrogers/223146313/ as well! Update: Don’t miss Steve lawson’s “Shiny Happy Signs!”

Use of this Table…. caught at KCPL Originally uploaded by mstephens7. There must be a story about this poor little table….I’ll be using this in my L2 talks! Update: David King IMs to say the sign has been removed! Woohoo! Please, folks, take a walk around your buildings and see what story you are telling about your library by the language and tenor of your signage and stance toward collaboration and technology. I understand we need balance and some guidelines for conduct, but a “culture of no” does not work well in libraries! Apology: the comments on this post were […]

I’ve been thinking a lot about stories lately. I’ve even used the phrase “What story is your library telling?” as an IM away message. So imagine the synchronicity, when into the TTW comment bin comes a nice pointer to a post by Phyllis at “Something New Everyday” — she’s adapted Brenda Hough’s eight training tips for her library: “Eight Tips for Learning in a Changing World,” including this “Look for the story that exists in every situation.” It reminded me of the images we’ve seen snapped in some libraries of some not very friendly signage mostly about cell phones. Remember, […]