Emporia Public Library, Emporia, KS

To take advantage of its prime location, library officials wanted to install a new monument sign with an electronic message center that would communicate all the enriching programs available through the library. Previously, the only signage at the library was an entry sign at the door.

By state statute, libraries are not allowed to own their buildings, so Emporia Public Library first had to petition the city, which owns their building, for authorization to install a new sign. Once that was achieved, library officials reached out to Luminous Neon, Inc.’s Topeka, Kan. branch.

Luminous designed a monument sign that includes an upper logo cabinet with push-through acrylic letters and a multi-color logo. Beneath that is an 8mm full-color digital message center that sits on a base.

Luminous specified Watchfire for the message center. “Watchfire always stands behind their products and does what they say they will do,” said Virginia Baumgartner, senior account manager at Luminous.

Executive director Pauline Stacchini states the library uses the message center to promote its programs, such as story time and the popular Friends of the Library Book Sale. It also serves as a reminder of upcoming events, as well as last-minute closures for inclement weather. The staff keeps messages fresh using photos, changing them weekly, and using animated transitions between messages.

The sign supports Emporia Public Library’s other communications channels, including a bimonthly newsletter, library website, and social media channels. The library has a staffer trained on the Watchfire Ignite content management software and hopes to train several more.

According to Luminous, they’ve heard from officials from other libraries who have seen the Emporia sign and are impressed. “All libraries are looking for ways to communicate with the public, and a digital message center can be very effective,” said Baumgartner.