Libraries: Orient Visitors With Pocket Size Folding Maps
- Folding Maps
- Trade-show / Expo marketing ideas
- City Wayfinding
- Guerrilla Wayfinding
- Wayfinding on Trails
- Campus Wayfinding
- Museum Wayfinding, Signage, & Maps
- Pocket-Size Marketing
Getting lost in the stacks of a library can be a dream come true for many: until you're actually lost. For scholars or general patrons, the joy of wandering a library can quickly lose its appeal when it becomes hard to find the information they seek. That's why a pocket size folding map can be an excellent tool for visiting library patrons, especially at big university libraries. Below you'll find our list of the top three areas to focus on when making your library pocket size map.
1. Diagram the floors of the library: A schematic of your entire library and its levels can help people navigate to the right areas of the library. Each level or section of the library tends to be unique: from the extensive collection of maps on the 2nd floor to the restricted archives in the basement, visitors will appreciate a pocket-size map that can point them to their areas of interest.
2. Describe the Stacks: Many library maps list the call numbers that can be found on each floor. But for many visitors, call numbers are not descriptive enough to help them find books in their interests. Instead, consider also listing the subjects that fall under those numbers--that will help encourage visitors to feel comfortable exploring the stacks.
3. Provide a supplemental map for separate floors: Instead of trying to generate a map for a vast library, consider making a map of one library building or department by floor. For example, the Belk Library maps out the floor plans separately, versus creating a vast, chaotic map of the entire library. This is a great idea for large libraries that would not be able to provide enough information on one large map.
A big part of getting people interested in libraries and books is to make it accessible. A pocket-sized map can be a great way to make libraries visually appealing and comfortable for all patrons. To learn more about how out PocketMaps can help you and your library, contact us here or simply request a sample pack and be sure to ask for samples of our library PocketMaps for colleges, universities, and general public libraries. We look forward to helping you and your visitors.