Signage is needed to guide users to the collection and service areas. Whenever a student or staff member walks into the library, they should have an immediate orientation to the library facility and all of its resources and services. The primary goal of library Signage is to ensure that users can be "independent users." Effective signage will reduce the number of directional questions as well as ensure that students and staff feel comfortable in the library environment and are welcomed. An excellent material for signs is foam board. It is light in weight, therefore, making mounting or hanging an easier task.
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Signs should be neat, readable, meaningful, and consistent design throughout the library. Coordinate the signs in style, design, size, font, and color.
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Every library should have large signs to denote the major areas of the collection: fiction, nonfiction, biography, everybody (elem only), reference, magazines and newspapers, and any other special collections in your library.

Every library should have large signs to denote major service areas and handouts: circulation, online databases, multimedia production, and any other special service areas in your library. If you have an area for student/staff handouts (bibliographies, works cited help, new materials, etc.), make sure you have a sign to direct students and staff to these documents.
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Shelf labels (kind that slides on shelves) should be made to denote major areas of the Dewey Classification System and subjects of interest to the students. These signs further direct and invite students to browse and locate needed resources. DO NOT put stick on labels on wood or metal shelving as they will permanently mark and destroy the surface paint or finish.
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Lastly, students and staff should know who can help them. Place a sign at the circulation desk with the names of library staff.  

Investment in getting professional looking signs is worth it. Check out local sign design retail stores.

Library furnishings should be safe, functional, and attractive. Furniture is needed for each area of the library: instructional, independent reading, computer areas, etc. A coordinated color scheme is very important to achieving an attractive and eye-pleasing environment. DO NOT purchase inexpensive furniture usually made for non-commercial use. It will not last, thus wasting your initial investment. It is better to purchase less. Develop a 2-3 year purchasing plan for library furnishings. Also, it is highly recommended to use local suppliers for reasons of installation, repair, and warranty. Call the Office of Library Information Services when planning to make furniture selections. We will assist you as well as enlist the design services of our local vendors.

NOTE: Links are referenced below to provide you with an awareness and reference source of the variety of products available, not to endorse a particular product. When you are making furniture purchasing decisions, contact the Office of Library Information Services for guidance and information.

Childrens' Library Furniture 
Douron Library Furniture
Library Furniture and Book Displays
Worden Library Furniture
Bordart Library Furniture Designs | Catalog
Vernon Library Furniture and Supplies
Library Bureau Furniture
Bretford Library Furniture
Highsmith Library Furniture and Supplies
Gaylord Library Furniture and Supplies
Demco Library Furniture and Supplies
Texwood Library Furniture

Puppets and other items covered with fabric such as stuffed toys, animals, story-book characters, etc. add excitement and interest to the library environment. In elementary schools use of these items creates a pleasing and child-like environment and for storytelling and literature activities. Remember, they need to be periodically cleaned for sanitary and health reasons. Follow manufacutuer's directions for cleaning.

Folkmanis Puppets
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Visit the BOOK RACK to see and play with these charming puppets. The Book Rack is located at 55 EAST PADONIA ROAD, TIMONIUM MD 21093 (410) 667-6897.

 Commercially available posters are an immediate way to add interest to the library facility. There are several sources listed below that provide excellent posters for library media centers. The selection is plentiful; however, pick a theme in order to avoid a hodgepodge of informational posters that will only clutter the environment and the minds of library users. In this case, less is more. DO NOT affix posters to wooden furniture. Use tacking putty to affix to walls, or better yet, invest in poster frames and hang on the walls for a more professional gallery look.

American Library Association Graphics (posters)
Click "graphics" button
Argus Posters
Demo Posters