Wayfinding in libraries
As Derek Zoolander pointed out, in order to read you have to get into the building. A short reading list about wayfinding and signage.
A friend got in touch and asked me if there was any reading I might suggest about wayfinding in libraries, so I decided to write up and post my response (easier for me to find later when I'm looking for it, mainly!).
My own thoughts
Generally, when I think about wayfinding and signage in libraries, I think about airports and hospitals. These are both places which host a wild mix of visitors – regulars, first-timers, diverse in every way (generationally, ethnically, culturally, socioeconomically, linguistically, etc.) – who are there to accomplish something specific, often in a hurry, and sometimes in distress.
A few high level thoughts:
Wayfinding and signage should always be obvious, consistent, clear, and unambiguous, and this need is especially urgent in high-traffic or high-stress environments.
It must be perceivable to all (regardless of low vision, color blindness, etc). This encompasses placement, color contrast, font/icon choice and font/icon size.
The utmost effort should be given to striving to select words and icons that are as universally recognizable as possible. Conversely, commonly used icons and words should not be employed in contexts or ways alternate to or divergent from their common use.
The system should be consistent within itself – that is to say, if a certain color is embued with meaning, then it should always and only be used to indicate that meaning and vocabulary should be similarly consistent.
To follow on that thought, wayfinding and signage should be consistent, or at least compatible, with any existing overarching brand, design or other standards set by your company, campus, college, university, city government, etc.
Useful (or promising) reads
Some of these I've personally read, and some I haven't – hence my use of the word "promising." Items are listed alphabetically by title. In case it doesn't go without saying, this is not a comprehensive list and it is also limited by recency. Linked titles lead either directly to the source, if available on the web, or to a WorldCat record where you can determine where you might be able to borrow from a library.
13 QR-Code Usability Guidelines by Tanner Kohler. 2024.
He doesn't say this explicitly but I will: multiple QR codes on the same sign are bananas. Be bold. Identify the sensible, single priority. One QR per sign.
Airport standards manual for pedestrian signing & wayfinding: executive summary (PDF) by Port Authority NY NJ. 2024.
A real life example of how an overall strategy and implementation can work.
Designing orientation: signage concepts & wayfinding systems by Chris van Uffelen. 2021.
Digital icons that work: a comprehensive guide to enhancing user experience with effective iconography by Kate Kaplan. 2024.
[description from Nielsen/Norman Group website]
Library signage and wayfinding design: communicating effectively with your users by Mark Aaron Polger. 2022.
[review / discussion published in Weave: the journal of library user experience]
Signage and wayfinding design: a complete guide to creating environmental graphic design systems by Chris Calori and David Vanden-Eynden. 2015.
Signage that works: the principles of great wayfinding design by Tom Bradley. 2025.
Whiffs of sales pitch occasionally bleed through (not blaming them, and well done Root Studio you seem like you are top notch) but overall this is a concise yet thorough overview of key ideas and considerations.
Useful, usable, desirable: applying user experience design to your library by Aaron Schmidt and Amanda Etches. 2014.
There's a whole section about signage and they have some good suggestions for further reading as well.
Did I miss something great? Get in touch and let me know.