By Jillian Viljoen
Have you ever noticed the displays
in clothing stores and supermarkets? Have you read them? What do they tell you?
You learn about their products before you buy them. Your interest is piqued before
you ask a store assistant for help. The pictures attract your attention. You
may even end up buying items that were not on your list because of the
displays.
In the library, displays are created
with a similar purpose. Special dates and events on the South African calendar
are highlighted. Library events are marketed. Books are promoted. World events
are featured. We are sometimes so focused on our studies and exams that we need
reminders about what is happening around us and what we should be aware of.
Displays give a summary of the
topics being spotlighted. Some have a lot of text, while others have more
pictures, depending on the purpose. Displays are informative. They are
sometimes open to different interpretations. Readers decide whether the
displays are relevant based on their frame of reference.
What messages do these displays
convey? Are their messages obvious/clear?
The next time that you are in a
library, have a look at the displays. Engage with the librarians on the
content. Displays promote discussion and learning. You never know what new bits
of information you may discover just by taking a few minutes to read the
library displays.
