VISUAL MERCHANDISING — IT'S MORE THAN JUST DISPLAY Janet Nelson, Director of Industry Relations, Demco, Inc.

Visual Merchandising Article

Anythink Libraries Merchandising Guidelines

Visual merchandising has become a hot topic in 21st century libraries. As the focus
shifts from warehousing materials to creating spaces for people, a change in
emphasis surrounding the visual impact of the library makes sense. We all like to feel
welcome in the spaces that we frequent, and the visual appearance of each space
often elicits an emotional response. While a clean space with well organized materials
and comfortable seating may invite patrons in, the opposite is true when a space is
cluttered and features more institutional-type furnishings.

While merchandising principles aren’t new — forward-thinking libraries have been
moving toward a more retail-oriented method for displaying their collections for over
10 years — they are now proven in their effectiveness and more relevant than ever.
As the concept behind connecting customers to materials has evolved, it has
expanded to include not only the displays and display furniture, but more of the entire
environment including the color story, signage, seating and other furniture.

The Anythink libraries in Adams County, CO understand that presentation is a critical
component of creating a welcoming library. They have developed Visual
Merchandising guidelines for their libraries to provide a framework for their staff. This
straightforward information emphasizes basic design principles and focuses on areas
of impact that make sense for any library. The consistency throughout their branches
and discipline in execution further underscores an effective philosophy.

Anythink Huron Street, Rangeview Library District.	Anythink Wright Farms, Rangeview Library District.

To complement their displays, they provide a wide variety of seating and work areas
to appeal to a wide audience. Experience zones throughout the library change on a
regular basis and create the opportunity for individuals or small groups to have a
more interactive experience that fosters learning and exploration. A strong service
orientation provides an added dimension that further welcomes customers into the
space and keeps them coming back. During a recent visit to one of the Anythink
branch libraries, we apologized to an individual as we intruded on his space during
a tour. His response was, “It’s not a problem, this is the best library ever and it should
be shared.”

Anythink Huron Street, Rangeview Library District, Thornton, CO .

We thank the Anythink libraries of the Rangeview library district, Thornton, CO for
graciously agreeing to share the guidelines that they use in merchandising their
libraries. You can download the complete Anythink Libraries Visual Merchandising
Guidelines for more information.