Evaluating Signs in a University Library

Wayfinding in libraries can be a difficult and challenging task, and yet few studies of wayfinding have been concerned with libraries. Although it is true that the library and information science literature includes studies designed to measure user frustration, wayfinding problems as a cause of frustration have been neglected here, too. This is an investigation to determine if signs have an impact on the success of library users in locating what they need. Using the University of Rhode Island Library as a laboratory, the authors designed a survey instrument to evaluate users' perceptions of the value of directional and locational signs. Dala confirmed previous observations of user search difficulties. Although local in focus, the study has implications for most academic libraries.