Making a Case for Library Digital Signage

by | Mar 15, 2016 | Uncategorized

Library Digital Signage

Making a Case for Library Digital Signage:

If you were walk around New York City, you’d notice how advanced the entire city is, not just Times Square. It seems as though every bodega on the corner has a digital menu board. Our company is based in a smaller city, so while most people are coming around to digital signage, it certainly isn’t commonplace just yet. So you can imagine our surprise when libraries were some of the first organizations coming to us for not only standard digital signage, but interactive. Even more to our surprise- they had done their research. They knew what they wanted their digital signage to do, where to put it, how much it should cost, but most importantly they understood their audience and how they would like to use technology like this.

I suppose we were naive to fact that libraries tend to stay ahead in terms of technology. Patrons use libraries as information hubs, so it’s important to maintain that level of standard.

The Case of Gates Public Library:Digital Signage

library digital signage

The first library installation we completed was at Gates Public Library. They already had an existing screen on their first level that they were currently updating with a USB stick, which was a bit inconvenient, but was working for them. However when they planned to expand their digital signage network, it became obvious that they were in need of cloud-based software. We were able to quickly convert their content over to a format that would fit with the most affordable digital signage software on the market today. We installed a brand new digital sign on a single post kiosk and convert their current screen over to digital signage software. Now they are capable of updating both signs from a central location and keep their patrons updated on library events and news.

library digital signage

The Case of Webster Public Library: Interactive Kiosk

One of my favorite wayfinding experiences. This particular library was undergoing major renovations that would include moving their entrance from one side of the building to the complete opposite side to reduce parking issues. This would completely change the layout of the library and librarians didn’t want to see their loyal patrons dissatisfied because they couldn’t find what they were looking for. It was out of necessity that the library was investigating a wayfinder, but it was out of desire to stay ahead of curve and provide their customers with a 21st century experience that they decided to go digital.

Webster Public Library Digital Signage

“The Webster Public Library is always looking for ways to improve the patron experience,” states Anna Souannavong, Webster Library’s Adult Services Librarian, “With our new renovation underway, this interactive
kiosk would be an excellent tool for the introduction of our new layout and will be utilized to greet patrons, assist with navigating the new floor plan, finding collections and being aware of the changes and ongoing events.”

With that our team set to work to develop a dynamic 3D rendering of their building and a user interface that would satisfy some additional needs. Webster Public Library wanted to integrate their book database into the kiosk, but a complete integration would be way too expensive and time consuming. We were able to create a seamless I-Frame integration of the system into the kiosk with an interactive keyboard for searching purposes. We were also able to clip a “New Book” RSS feed straight from their website on to the kiosk’s home page that would automatically update when the website was updated.

Liverpool Public Library: Interactive Kiosk & Conference Room Signage

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Liverpool public library did a full digital signage makeover and we were honored to be apart of it. We upgrade multiple conference room signage as well as adding a digital display to their lobby. We integrated their calendar and event flyers into their signage.

 

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Make Your Case

 

Events: Library events make a case for digital signage alone. It’s just as important to reach your library “regulars” as it is to reach the outside.

Tip: As always your content needs to stay relevant. You’ll lose the faith of your patrons if you are running a promotion for an event that expired weeks ago. However this can create a load of work that wasn’t there to begin with. This is why digital signage software is so crucial- take advantage of the scheduling tool. This allows for one person to upload and schedule slides ahead of time that will appear when they are supposed to and most importantly disappear when they are supposed to.

Even Better: VP directly into a web-based event calendar that someone in your organization is already tasked with updating. Now any updates that are made to the web are automatically made to your digital signage.

Wayfinding on the Shelves

Freeing up some employee time can be crucial in a non-profit/tight budget organization. As in the case with Webster Public Library, your kiosk can function as a map and can even send turn by turn directions to a user’s phone. This frees up the time of employees who are tasked with assisting patrons in finding their desired locations. Wayfinders can be as detailed as you need them to be, even directing to specific shelves.

Tip: Upon installation, staff a librarian to stand by the wayfinder to help get those who are less technologically comfortable used to operating your system. This will dramatically increase use.

FAQs

As with most businesses, libraries staff an information desk during most working hours. Why not allow digital signage to do that job?

Be Creative

At the end of the day, your digital signage whether that is standard or interactive is your blank canvas. Consider your audience, your placement and your goals and get to work. Most importantly- team up with a digital signage company that is just as dedicated to making this technology work for your library.