Creating Bulletin Board Map Displays
By Sylvia Lebron Pham
SUMMARY: This article will discuss the benefit of creating
map displays in libraries via the use of bulletin boards. The
article will provide useful and practical tips on creating beautiful,
thematic map displays.
In libraries, books are a more common material to create displays
with. So what advantage would a map have over book materials?
For one, maps are visual interesting pieces that offer information
as soon as one looks at it. Books have pages to turn through,
but maps can simply be unfolded and looked at immediately. Maps
are naturally pleasing to the eye. They are often large and have
beautiful coloring. This visual appeal can create wonderful focal
points in the library.
At Rohrbach Library, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, maps
are kept in large map drawers, closed and hidden from view. However,
the maps area is fortunate is having two full-size bulletin boards
and two additional bulletin bars. It is with these materials
that I create displays that help to promote the map collection.
Bulletin boards have been used for years in school classrooms
and media centers as a proven way to promote materials and encourage
learning. With some time and a few supplies, bulletin boards
can be a simple, effective, and relatively inexpensive way to
promote the usage of your map collection.
Aside from educators, retailers have always used impressive
visuals to market themselves. Libraries can also use similar
strategies to increase the usage of their materials. Consider
how a bookstore prominently displays what it has. People are
immediately drawn to the colorful posters and materials on display.
This allows consumers to quickly see what is available. While
a library may not have the space to hold large display cases,
there is a good chance that space can be found on a wall to display
maps. Here lies the distinct advantage of using a bulletin board:
they do not take up additional floor space. A bulletin board
can instantly let people know what you have in your collection.
It is highly visual and can catch a patron’s attention
very quickly. It reaches out to people who may not take the time
to browse through the file drawers. The displays can help to
spark an interest and appreciation of what is available in your
collection. Lastly, if your library is like Rohrbach, where maps
do circulate, using bulletin boards can actually increase circulation
statistics and usage of library materials, a benefit that any
library can appreciate.
Most school students are used to the fast-paced images that
appear before them on their televisions, their iPods, and the
internet. Every day they are exposed to a tremendous amount of
visuals in their everyday activities. However, when they enter
a library, what visual information is available to them? Are
there interesting things to see or just ordinary signage pointing
to different library departments?
By bringing the map collection to the forefront with bulletin
boards displays, the library helps to present itself as a warm,
inviting place. The displays add a nice, decorative touch. Besides
providing an aesthetic value, the displays are also a great teaching
tool. In an article focusing on using bulletin boards in a K-12
library, Barbara Braxton points out that, “it is estimated
that 70 percent of what children learn in schools is done peripherally
through what is on the walls”. 1 Why not capitalize on
this learning opportunity for library patrons by using a bulletin
board to show what map materials, especially new ones, are in
the collection?
Another article on bulletin boards advises readers that, “to
be boring is to fail; to incite controversy and curiosity is
to succeed.” 2 In Rohrbach Library, besides creating bulletin
boards relating to holidays and common themes, bulletin board
displays are sometimes created concerning a controversial topic.
I created a map display on the controversial USA PATRIOT Act.
This display featured a list of cities and towns of that had
special legislation protecting the rights of citizens. Along
with the list were select maps of the featured cities and towns.
This display was in conjunction with other Patriot Act displays
throughout the library. It helped to show that even ordinary
maps have a role is educating the public on social issues.
Tips on creating effective displays
The following sections are things to keep in mind when establishing
and creating a display area.
Location
Ideally, you should choose a high traffic area to reach the
largest amount of people, but make sure that you can get to the
boards to change them. If that is not an option, choose an area
where people often congregate and study. This will present an
opportunity for patrons to take a closer look at the display.
The Maps Department bulletin boards at Rohrbach Library are located
in an area of study tables which offer group seating. It is a
great way for patrons to see the variety of maps that are available
and, depending on the theme, how they can be used in a classroom
situation or for personal use.
Themes
Choosing a theme is vital for a map display. A theme creates
a unified, coherent look. A theme shows the relationships the
maps have with one another and with the message you are trying
to convey. As Muriel Strickland points out “Displays with
a theme are really the core of map promotion. They provide an
opportunity to bring to public attention the scope and diversity
of the map collection: to show what exists.”
Themes can range from the educational (Geography Awareness
Week) to seasonal subjects such as holidays (Halloween), monthly
topics like Hispanic Heritage Month and special events like National
Library Week. Looking simply beyond geographical themes can greatly
expand the topics for use in a map display.
How should one select a theme? One of the easiest is themes
to work with is one focusing on a particular area or the world
or culture. For example, a display could be made to celebrate
Celtic culture. This display could be presented in March, to
coincide with St. Patrick’s Day. The maps would feature
places where Celtic peoples settled ( Ireland , Scotland , and
England ). Is Halloween around the corner? You can create a display
showing the many the names that Halloween celebrations go by
around the world (Halloween, U.S. , Mexico- Day of the Dead,
China- Teng Chieh). Is it an Olympic year? The winter 2006 map
display at Rohrbach Library features maps of the current winter
Olympics site ( Turin , Italy ) along with the locations of the
last five winter Olympic locations.
2004Map Display for National Library Week
2004 Map Display for National Library Week
2003 Map Display for National Geography
Awareness Week
October 2004 Halloween Map Display
Target audience
The target audiences for many of the displays are geography
majors, since they are the students who normally utilize the
map areas. However, in cases such as National Library Week, the
audience is much broader, reaching out to all library patrons.
Bonus audiences
Bonus audiences are those who are not in the target audience
but will also likely see the displays. I believe that creating
appealing displays can help with marketing the map collection
to a broader audience. In the Rohrbach Library, some of the bonus
audiences are library science and instructional technology students
(who have classes on the bottom floor), Audiovisual Center patrons,
and faculty who utilize the university’s Learning Technologies
Center . The displays let these patrons know that the map collection
exists for their needs as well.
Time frames
Sometimes creating a display can take a day, and other times
it can take up to a week. This depends on the amount of assistance
available and the complexity of the project. By tapping into
the helpful and creative talents of student assistants, displays
can be created within a reasonable timeframe. Getting everything
ready for a new display before taking down the old one will prevent
time gaps between displays.
It is important to change displays several times a year to
present something new and interesting for patrons to see. Usually
at Rohrbach Library there are a minimum of about 2-3 displays
per academic term. Changing displays also allow for a variety
of maps to be put out for public viewing.
Creating the Display
Choosing Maps
Once a topic is decided, choose maps that work with the topic.
If you have multiple maps of the same subject, choose the one
that is the most eye-catching, and is in good condition. Keep
in mind that this is a great time to highlight new acquisitions.
However, be prepared to replace displayed items with other maps
when patrons want to check them out.
Selecting a background color and lettering
Selecting a background usually comes after choosing a topic.
Sometimes I base the background on the season or theme itself
(orange for Halloween; red for December holidays). Other times,
I simply choose colors that blend well with the maps. Bold, bright
colors attract the most attention, but watch out for some combinations
that can actually be harsh on the eyes. Be creative, but lay
out your colors before you start to cut.
The lettering is done to compliment the background color. If
I use a colored background paper, I usually choose white or cream
lettering. If the background is simply the bulletin board itself
(like cork), then black works very well. The size of the letters
is often 3-6 inches, in a print style that is easy to read.
Layout
In regards to the use of space, the display should have a balanced
look. It should not appear too cluttered or to look too empty.
Symmetry and proportion should be considered, but again, creativity
is encouraged. One thing I will often do is first lay the materials
on the floor. This allows for changes to be made before the final
display is put into place.
Art
Fun graphics and art add to the visual appeal, and borders
help to unify the display. However, graphics should not overpower
the display or the message. Art is used as a tool to accentuate
the theme.
A note on hanging maps
I hang the maps on the display with tacks on the four corner
edges. I do not use tape. Great care is used when putting up
the maps and taking them down. While yes, there are four tiny
holes left on the map, my own belief is that it is better that
the map is being used, then sitting in a file cabinet untouched
and unknown. The library’s map collection exists to fill
an information need.
Student assistants
If you are fortunate enough to have a library page or student
worker, he or she can be an excellent source of assistance and
creativity. They can help make the task of creating displays
less daunting. They can help with the putting up the background,
creating the lettering, and making sure the displays are balanced
and level. Another benefit is that displays give them a chance
to express creativity while they work. It is a nice break from
the monotony of shelving!
Cost Issues
While the actual start-up costs may be high (the purchase of
a bulletin board and the installation labor), bulletin boards
are worthwhile in the long run since the collection attracts
interest and increases map usage. Once the bulletin board is
installed, there are other ways save money. Library departments
can share resources such as the background paper and construction/oak
tag paper for letters. The World Wide Web and publishing software
such as Microsoft Publisher can also provide interesting graphics
to use.
Furthermore, once a display is taken down, the lettering and
display graphics can be saved for future opportunities (if they
are in good condition). Laminating general display graphics is
a good idea if they will be used again and again. This not only
saves money on supplies, but it also saves time when putting
together future displays.
A Note on Digital Photos
Taking digital photos of the displays can be a useful way to
provide documentation of what has already been done, to inspire
future projects, and to provide materials for professional portfolios
of both librarians and student assistants. Digital photos can
even be used in promotional newsletters, flyers, websites and
e-mails as a marketing tool to increase awareness of your map
collection.
Conclusion
Creating bulletin board map displays provide a great opportunity
to promote your map collection. Bulletin boards are relatively
inexpensive, do not take up precious floor space, and can be
seen be large numbers of people. They can be an effective educational
tool. Visually, the displays can give the library a warmer and
more inviting atmosphere. The displays can also offer the indirect
advantage of providing a creative outlet for those who create
them. It can become a rewarding and enriching experience. Try
using bulletin boards to promote your maps today. You will be
pleasantly surprised at the interest and attention it can create!
Notes
1. Braxton, Barbara, “Landscape your library to attract
students,” Teacher Librarian 31, no. 5 (2004):
42.
2. Dohrmann, Gail, “…Anything but stodgy” Book
Report, 11, no.5 (1992): 1. Academic Search Premier, via
EBSCOhost, http://search.epnet.com/
3. Strickland, Muriel, “Map Display: A means of promoting
map use,” Western Association of Map Libraries 17,
no. 3 (1986: 257-259).
About the author :
Sylvia Lebron Pham is the Reference and Maps Librarian at Kutztown
University of Pennsylvania.