“Do not Disturb : How “Do not Disturb : How

Not to Project Not to Project

Aggressive Unfriendly Aggressive Unfriendly

Library Rules”Library Rules”Library Rules”Library Rules”

MRS. VICTORIA P. BALEVALibrarian In-charge

Periodicals Unit

Centro Escolar University

April 27, 2011

The first thing is to define some very important terms and words.

Aggressive – characterized by aggression: aggressive behavior; marked by forceful energy or initiative

Negative – disagreeable ; unfavorable; marked by absence or removal of Something positive – the motivation of removal of Something positive – the motivation of shame

Project – To display outwardly especially to an audience

Friendly – showing kindly interest and goodwill; serving a beneficial or helpful purpose; cheerful ; comforting

Unfriendly – having no friends, hostility ; not befriended

Whichever they maybe positive or negative, rules are rules. In libraries, library rules and regulations are prescribed guides for conduct or action; the laws or regulations prescribed for observance by its library clientele or users.

Rules are the kind of thing you love when you want them, and hate when you don’t.

Let me show you a flow chart that comes with setting rules of today:

Rules Lack of Freedom

Stifled or Suppressed

Initiative and Creativity

Lack of Inspiration

An absence of new

ideas and innovation

Mediocrity, complacency,

apathy and boredom

What do you think, are they pretty, gloomy, or negative prospects ?

So what should be replacing these kinds of rules with? Clear expectations and well-defined successful outcomes.

Positive results to be effected to our customer - our library clientele.

Library managers/librarians should be able to define what success will look like and why that success will be meaningful, but have to get out of the way, allowing people to create how success can be attained. They must be able to allow the creative permission and the freedom in decision-making which will liberate and self-motivate them.

Positive rules Creative Freedom

Inspired Energy

an Abundance of New Ideas and Innovation

(Beautiful Ideas and Innovation)

Learning Excitement

Joy, Hope, Optimism and Enthusiasm

motivate them.

Then the flow chart begins to be changed to this:

We cannot attain positive results without creative inputs.

Gone are the days when rules used to be too stiff, strong, boring which become ineffective and were taken for granted, ignored, thus less considered.In this age of Library 2.0. The scenario definitely has a shift and has changed.

Customer-focused, friendly, creative, inviting, welcoming, full of dynamism should be part of our rules and regulations, policies, notices and directional signagessignages as well.Thus we should: Thus we should:

Manage to change. Ideas need to add up before they can multiply.

What are rules anyway?

Rules replace thought. If you know the rules. You can always know what to do.

Rules are comfortable. If you know the rules. You never have to stretch too far.

Rules are safe. You probable won’t get fired for following the rules.

Library Rules NEGATIVE POSITIVE

No eating, no drinking

No foods No drinks allowed eating is not allowed

Food is served at the school canteenPlease be advised that you may eat your snack/meal at the school canteen.

Drinking station is available at the lobby.

Foods and drinks are served at the school canteen.

No Entrance No ExitPlease use the CDL 2nd floor main door

for EXIT as you leave the library

premises.

Thank you.

SILENCE

Keep QUIET

QUIET AREA

Research Area

Periodicals Research Area

Periodicals Reading Area

DISCUSSION AREA LEARNING

COMMON

NEGATIVE POSITIVE

Rules work when the rate is slow enough that they can be adjusted before

they are irrelevant.

Can you think of some irrelevant rules in your library?

Worse than irrelevant, what rules are bringing negative effect to the

library’s success and thus bringing ineffective result to your library’s aim of

inviting and motivating users to come in to the library for research and reading.

There’s got to be periodic and regular revision of rules on a schedule; There’s got to be periodic and regular revision of rules on a schedule;

that is if you can’t find meaning in them – change and revise those rules from

negative make it more appealing, interesting to your patrons.

Do what you think is right – what will make your library be more successful in

its objectives.

Library Tourism encompasses how to stimulate, invite and attract our

customer’s and not to destruct, annoy, mislead and burden them – creating,

innovating and posting are three keywords.

Library rules and signages will

draw us closer to our valued

customer.

Rules must:Rules must:

1.Be eye-catching

2.Clearly convey message

3.Have signed word and symbols

4.Include notices and safety

information.

LIBRARY SIGNAGESLIBRARY SIGNAGES

. Way finding

. Identification Signage. Identification Signage

. Instructional Signage

. Emergency Signage

Way finding signs Way finding signs – means knowing where you are, your

destination, following the best route,

recognizing your destination, and finding

your way back out.

Research Area

Reading Area

Identification SignageIncludes signs that identify individual areas and

rooms, as well as signs that identify the objects and

applications found in these rooms.

� Internet stations

� Cybrary� Cybrary

� Research Area

� E-mail stations

� Learning commons

� Reference section/unit

� Circulation section/unit, etc.

Sign legibility is extremely important because users rely on

identification to navigate the library.

WITHIN THE LIBRARY

Include:

- Work desk signs

- Shelf identification signs

- Room identification signs- Room identification signs

- Computer work station signs

- Area signs for other resources

( photocopying service area )

Instructional Signage- Signage that describes behaviors rules to

the user

- It informs users how to act in certain areas,- It informs users how to act in certain areas,

what to expect and where to go

WITHIN THE LIBRARYIncludes :

. Cell phone areas

. Service Hours

. Talking/ No talking areas

. Restrictions

. Guidelines ( where to find printers, etc.). Guidelines ( where to find printers, etc.)

- Use international symbols

- Try to avoid conflicting messages, if

prohibition signage, keep it simple.

This is a QUIET Research Area.

Please turn your cell phone to silent mode.

Emergency Signage

A safety sign is a visual alerting device,

which advises the observer of a potential

hazard.

These signs have the purpose

to draw attention rapidly to

objects and situations capableof causing specific hazards.

Emergency signage should. . .

1. Be eye catching

2. Clearly convey the message2. Clearly convey the message

3. Include : signal word,

message panel and/or symbol

EFFECTIVE EMERGENCY SIGNAGE

should:

� Emphasize action

� Use a symbol

� Choose an appropriate heading

� Describes hazards and consequences

� Write in a headline style

� Provide Emergency Information

EMERGENCY EXIT

FIRE EXTINGUISHER

In case of power failure, you may use consult, the list of

newly-cataloged books.

Please do not leave your things unattended.

We need to find GODGOD and he cannot be found in noise

and restlessness. GODGOD is the friend of SILENCESILENCE. See

how nature trees , flowers, grass grows in SILENCESILENCE ;

see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in

SILENCESILENCE – we need SILENCESILENCE to be able to touch souls.Mother Teresa