lecture presented at PAARL's Summer National Conference on the theme "“Library Tourism & Hospitality: The Business of Endearing Philippine Libraries and Information Centers to Publics” (San Antonio Resort, Baybay Beach, Roxas City, Capiz, 27-29 April 2011) by Victoria Baleva

1. “Do not Disturb : How
Not to Project
Aggressive Unfriendly
Library Rules”
MRS. VICTORIA P. BALEVA
Librarian In-charge
Periodicals Unit
Centro Escolar University
April 27, 2011

2. 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
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

3. 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

4. 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.
Then the flow chart begins to be changed to this:
Positive rules Creative Freedom
Inspired Energy
an Abundance of New Ideas and Innovation
(Beautiful Ideas and Innovation)
Learning Excitement
Joy, Hope, Optimism and Enthusiasm

5. 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 signages as well.
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.

6. Library Rules
NEGATIVE POSITIVE
No eating, no drinking Food is served at the school canteen
Please be advised that you may eat your
No foods snack/meal at the school canteen.
No drinks allowed eating is not allowed
Drinking station is available at the lobby.
Foods and drinks are served at the
school canteen.
No Entrance No Exit
Please use the CDL 2nd floor main door
for EXIT as you leave the library
premises.
Thank you.

7. NEGATIVE POSITIVE
SILENCE QUIET AREA
Keep QUIET Research Area
Periodicals Research Area
Periodicals Reading Area
DISCUSSION AREA LEARNING
COMMON

8. 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;
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.

9. Library rules and signages will
draw us closer to our valued
customer.
Rules must:
1.Be eye-catching
2.Clearly convey message
3.Have signed word and symbols
4.Include notices and safety
information.

10. LIBRARY SIGNAGES
. Way finding
. Identification Signage
. Instructional Signage
. Emergency Signage

11. 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

12. Identification Signage
Includes signs that identify individual areas and
rooms, as well as signs that identify the objects and
applications found in these rooms.
Internet stations
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.

13. WITHIN THE LIBRARY
Include:
- Work desk signs
- Shelf identification signs
- Room identification signs
- Computer work station signs
- Area signs for other resources
( photocopying service area )

14. Instructional Signage
- Signage that describes behaviors rules to
the user
- It informs users how to act in certain areas,
what to expect and where to go

15. WITHIN THE LIBRARY
Includes :
. Cell phone areas
. Service Hours
. Talking/ No talking areas
. Restrictions
. 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.

16. 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 capable
of causing specific hazards.

17. Emergency signage should. . .
1. Be eye catching
2. Clearly convey the message
3. Include : signal word,
message panel and/or symbol

18. 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

19. 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.

20. We need to find GOD and he cannot be found in noise
and restlessness. GOD is the friend of SILENCE See
SILENCE.
how nature trees , flowers, grass grows in SILENCE ;
see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in
SILENCE we need SILENCE to be able to touch souls.Mother Teresa