For over a year now, MPOW has had a sign letting folks know that the website was always available even when the physical building was closed:
The white space was for our many partner libraries to add their own URL. Few did.
I had been getting calls asking for more of the same sign. Apparently time was fading them. So I printed some more off. And then, i had an epiphany.
“The building may be closed…” implies that the building is CURRENTLY closed! And i doubt that libraries only hung this sign when they were closed.
New wording was in order and i came up with “Even when the building is closed, we’re always open online.” Which was much better, but didn’t totally sit well with me. Something was amiss.
This morning, i had remembered a post or article or something that showed the transformation of library signage. I could only remember the trees. Apparently ask and ye shall recieve- no sooner than i twittered my borked brain then i remembered i had starred it in my rss reader. I was remembering Aaron Schmidt’s “Beautiful > Ugly” post about signage design. Inspired, i sat down with paper and pencil and a few hours later had a gorgeous new sign. 
This time around, I was going to add the library’s URL in for them. The simple design informed the language, which was cut down to “we’re always open online.” No need to mention or imply that the building closes, we just want to promote the website(s).
I’m so very proud of this new sign and i hope that our partner libraries love it as much as i do.
It really is amazing what good design can for you. Just looking at the sign makes me feel good! Infinite possibilities good! And isn’t that what the library is all about?
i approve this message! great work, julie.
my only critique is that your font makes ‘bcpl’ look a lot like ‘bopl’ from here, but that may not be a problem with a full-sized thingamabobber.
Awesome transformation and I love the new design. I agree, however, that the font makes it look like bopl.
I read that original post by Aaron too — and I just re-read it thanks to you and felt inspired all over again.
hurrah for good design in libraries!
Captain Service to the rescue!! Julie, this sign is hot! You nailed it! No doubt we’ll be stealing, er, make that requesting to share, this fine sign :-)
you’re right that the “c” in BCPL looks “o”ish, but i assure you in the real 8.5×11 sign, it looks like a “c”. Good thing to keep in mind, though, as i do these signs with 43 different URLs on them! :-)
@Pete you’re more than welcome to steal *cough* i mean request to share this idea/sign! :-)
Your sign is actually an ad. Signs are to indicate an area or a direction.
Most libraries quickly become dumping grounds for all kinds of free stuff, and lots of handmade signage, by librarians? using all diff. colors, fonts and sizes and makes them look overall terrible and cluttered, and reminiscent of a gradeschool classroom. This is why the public doesn’t read the signs, they don’t know where to begin or what is even ne informaion.
@Christopher excellent point! you’re right that our “signs” aren’t signs, but rather adverts and to that degree should be short, sweet, eye catching, and again, short.