What's Your Sign?

摘要

As library technology has evolved, librarians have begun to turn over many of their usual tasks to their patrons. There are online catalogs, self-checkout stations, remote access for placing holds, and self-service hold shelves. Some libraries are replacing the centralized reference desk with roving librarians or repositioning the reference desk out of the line of sight of the entrance. Such choices leave patrons on their own more of the time, and they are becoming accustomed to helping themselves. To be self-sufficient, patrons need the guidance of well-thought-out and appropriately placed signage. Unfortunately, libraries don't always excel at this, and, as a result, users get lost and disgruntled, and they may never return.