Patrons exploring the stacks at Mann Library may have noticed something new recently: updated signage designed to make navigating the library’s physical collections easier and more intuitive.
The new signs highlight subject areas, call number ranges, and unique images from Mann Library’s collections. Together, these elements help users quickly see what kinds of topics are in each section of the stacks, making it easier to browse and discover materials they might not have searched for online.
For many students, navigating the stacks can feel unfamiliar at first. Library books are organized using call numbers, which function like an address for each item. A call number tells you exactly where a book lives on the shelf, and books with similar call numbers are grouped together by subject. This system allows related materials to be shelved near each other, supporting browsing and discovery, but it can take a little practice to understand and navigate the library shelves with confidence.
The new signage helps make subject areas more visible. In addition to listing call number ranges, the signs include plain-language subject keywords, such as sustainable agriculture, fashion design, or rural sociology, so that users can quickly understand what topics they’ll find in each aisle. The signage also incorporates images drawn from Mann Library’s collections, adding visual interest while highlighting the breadth of subjects located in the stacks.
The project grew out of a simple observation: the previous stacks signage had been in place for many years and was no longer serving users as effectively as it could. What began as an effort to improve old range labels soon turned into a broader rethinking of how improved stacks signage could assist the people navigating them.
The new system was a collaborative effort between Marty Cain (now a Reference Assistant at Olin Library), Carson Williams (Collection Development Librarian), and Wendy Thompson (Public Services Assistant). The team combined data analysis, design work, and subject expertise to rethink how information about the collections is presented in our stacks.
The project also reflects a thoughtful approach to the language used in library classification systems. Some traditional Library of Congress subject terms are outdated or use harmful language. By supplementing those terms with clearer subject descriptions, the signage helps bridge the gap between technical classification systems and the way users naturally think about topics. The result is a signage system that transforms the stacks from a maze of call numbers into a more navigable and engaging environment – one that invites exploration and discovery.
The impact of this project has been recognized by Cornell University Library. Cain, Williams, and Thompson received the 2025 Library Innovation Award for their work developing the new subject-based stacks signage at Mann Library.
Today, the new signs help guide users through the physical collections while also encouraging a key part of the library experience: browsing. Because books on related subjects are shelved together, following a call number range can often lead to serendipitous discoveries.
Mann visitors are encouraged to use the new signs as a starting point to explore our collections. You might come in looking for one book and leave with a few new ideas!
