Creating Digital Signage for Public Libraries

As technology and digital signage make inroads globally, public establishments are also opting for a digital makeover. And as libraries have also adapted their standing in the world, going from being simply places to find and read books, to more general centers of learning and technological access; so libraries find themselves at the cutting edge of many technological trends.

Digital signs have already replaced static signs in many libraries, which not only modernizes the library space, but also serves as an excellent tool for improved communication, engagement and user experience.

But how and why do you use library digital signage? 

Why do you need digital signage in a library?

Libraries are much more than simple repositories for books. They’re increasingly hubs for learning, community resources, places to meet and study and more. As such, digital signage can be used to improve the appeal and access to different sources of information within a library setting.

Digital signs can also be updated quickly and easily, allowing library managers to promote events or add dynamic information in the click of a few buttons with ease. In addition, digital signage software such as ScreenCloud networks easily with TVs and monitors across single or multiple locations, making digital signage a powerful tool for many uses in the modern library.

From wayfinding signage to enhanced visual appeal, digital signage ensures that library facilities can cater to the modern reader as well as overcome the limitations that come with static signs. 

Lets check out a few digital signage ideas for public libraries:

Basic information

From opening times to information about access to computers or other library facilities, digital signage is a great way to highlight basic but crucial information.

Digital notice boards

Many libraries offer more experiences from book clubs and author events, to school reading challenges or adult learning opportunities. Keep visitors in the loop with up to date information about whats happening in the library.

Wayfinding signage

As well as books, many libraries offer additional services such as study spaces, classes and events spaces or even co-working. As such, helping your visitors find the right place with easy access signage can greatly benefit all library users.

Promotional content

One of the main benefits of digital signage is that it makes it easy to display messages in a clear and engaging manner. Whether you're promoting upcoming events or hoping to increase footfall in general, digital signage is a great tool to remind users about your in house services and more.

Marketing opportunities

As a location with often high foot traffic, libraries make a great location for promoting local businesses or events. This also serves as a great way to add some additional revenue to the often stretched funds of local libraries. Digital signage presents a highly visible way to display ads for local businesses.

Video walls

A video wall is a highly engaging large format display, often used for high impact visual appeal. Video walls in a library can be used to promote special events, as a social media wall or simply to add a fun focal feature to a section of your library space.

How to get started with library digital signage?

Getting set up with digital signage software is actually a simple procedure, and one that doesn't need to be highly technical. In fact, with ScreenCloud, you only need some readily available consumer hardware and a few of our free apps to be up and running with your public library signage.

So how can you get set up with library digital signage using ScreenCloud?

Hardware

When getting started with setting up digital displays and signage for your library, the barrier to entry is lower than its ever been. These are the basic components you'll need.

• Digital screens

Yes, you can make do with an old screen that you might already have, or any other consumer-grade digital screen that you can pick up at your nearest hardware store.

Ideally though, you'd want to choose high-quality digital displays that match the requirements of your library space. Consider factors such as size, resolution and orientation as well as the kind of digital signage content you'd want to be displaying to maximize the appeal to your library goers.

Opting for an Android TV will allow you to connect to the internet directly, which boils down the process of installing a digital signage software to just downloading an app from the TV's app store.

• Media players

If you're using a regular TV, pairing it with a compatible media player will allow you to display content on the screens. Using affordable media players such as ScreenCloud's PIXI you can quickly and easily connect and setup your signage displays.

Discover all our digital signage media player recommendations.

• Interactive displays

Many libraries do already use touchscreen kiosks to access things such as the library catalog, check out books or find and book meeting rooms. However, interactive doesn't have to be touch screen. You can also simply use QR codes or offer dynamic information.

Ask yourself what the purpose of the screen is going to be, whether it be displaying café menus (if your library has a café) or interactive elements in general that can notify the library goers about community events or display digital notices. Interactive kiosks can also be used to provide personalized service for the regular library visitors.

Interactive screens in entrance halls and feature areas such as a writer's wall are all extremely successful in attracting attention and helping your information to be seen.

• Mounting solutions

Plan the physical placement of your digital displays and select suitable mounting solutions. Make sure that the placements complement the library spaces and consider other environmental factors such as protection from dust and humidity when finalizing the mounts or enclosures.

Software

The software you choose plays a pivotal role in the success and efficiency of your digital signs. ScreenCloud is professional grade digital signage software with consumer level ease of use and access.

• Using ScreenCloud

ScreenCloud allows you to manage your digital signage content and connect your screens easily. This means you can run a professional digital sign display network from just $20 per month.

Made for purpose digital sign software means you can create and deploy professional looking content with just a few clicks with ease.

Opting for a cloud based software allows you to have flexibility and ease of management, as they do not require you to connect an additional device in order to work. Instead, downloading an app like ScreenCloud directly from the Google Play Store, Chrome Web Store, Android App Store, or Amazon App Store allows you to remotely monitor, update, or manage your digital signage system from the comfort of your phone or laptop.

This short video demonstrates how easy it is to setup ScreenCloud’s digital signage system!

https://youtu.be/j4fyWDsmKIs?si=3z3qV8jrzXCJJc1D

• Content creation tools

One of the best things about using digital signage software platforms such as ScreenCloud is that they come bundled with easy to use content tools. This includes drag and drop layout creators or off the shelf templates, to more in depth custom app creation.

Using ScreenCloud, you can create everything from simple image or text based pages, to more in-depth video, social media or interactive content.

How to create engaging library digital signage ideas

Now that you have set up your digital signage network, the next topic would be actually creating visually appealing and relevant content for your screens.

You can obviously use any existing content that you might already have from your library's social media pages. These could be graphics on library events, membership plans or any other helpful information about library services.

Regardless, you should follow a general rule of thumb when designing or choosing what you're going to display.

• Information categorization

Categorizing information logically ensures that library patrons can easily navigate through announcements, event schedules, promotions and other relevant content. This not only reduces clutter but also enhances the visitor experience.

For example, you could create news digests using the latest feeds from channels such as BBC News, CNN or ESPN. If you have a café area, digital menu boards and special offers would be appropriate for display. If you have a learning area that focuses on economics, you could show the latest stocks information, currency rates, world clock times or feeds from the Financial Times.

• Multimedia integration

Use the multimedia capabilities of digital signage by incorporating images, videos, reports or presentations to bring variety to the displayed content. ScreenCloud not only supports common file types such as jpegs, gifs and pngs but also works with Office and iWorks formats, cutting down the effort for multimedia integration on your part to simply clicking "Upload".

• Interactive content

If applicable and permitted by your hardware, design interactive elements for touch-based screens. Such content, if done correctly, could be extremely user-friendly and intuitive, aligning with the overall goals of the library's digital signage strategy. Not only that, but interactive kiosks can also be used to provide personalized service for the regular library visitors.

How you tailor your content will depend on your audience and the type of information they might be interested in. Chances are, you know them really well so it won’t be difficult - and it’ll give them a much richer digital experience.

How to maintain and monitor your library's digital signage system?

Great digital signage comes with experience, trial and error and looking ahead to see what else you could do to benefit your audience. To get the most out of your systems, however, proper monitoring and maintenance is crucial. Here's how you can go about that:

• System integration

Integrating your digital signage system with existing library management systems ensures that there are immediate updates on events, availability of books or other materials, and other important information.

• Content Updates

You can also establish a schedule for regular content updates to keep the displayed media current and relevant. Automate content updates wherever possible, especially when it comes to dynamic information like upcoming library events.

• Remote management

If supported by your software (and hardware), leverage the remote management capabilities of your system. This makes it extremely simple for administrators to monitor and manage the system from a central location, minimizing the need for on-spot intervention.

• Troubleshooting

You should also develop a troubleshooting protocol to address potential hardware or software issues promptly. Make sure that your internet connection is reliable and have redundancy measures in place to minimize downtime and ensure seamless operation of your digital display system. This step will also require you to provide your library staff with basic training on troubleshooting procedures.

Check out our in-depth guide: What is digital signage?

Using ScreenCloud for your digital signs

As we've seen, getting started with your library digital signage is easier than you might think. And with ScreenCloud, you can access our support team if you need them when getting set up (or any time for that matter).

Whether you need a digital notice board or something more in-depth, find out how ScreenCloud can help with a free demo.

Or, get started today with a free trial.