A Sign of the Times: Elevating Library Access at the Old Town School of Folk Music

Tucked away behind a single door in the basement of the Old Town School of Folk Music (OTSFM) in Lincoln Square you’ll find the Resource Center (RC). The RC is a library and archive that has long served the OTSFM community. It’s a rich, but under-recognized, hub for music literature, sound recordings, and educational materials. Despite its deep music collections and revived programming efforts, the RC has struggled with visibility - literally and figuratively in the organization. The RAILS My Library Is... Grant changed that.  

Thanks to the My Library Is... Grant, the RC is launching a campus-wide signage project designed to transform awareness, access, and engagement across OTSFM’s Lincoln Square and Lincoln Park campuses. However, this project isn’t just about installing signs. It’s about mounting a cross-campus effort to elevate arts literacy and expand access to resources for a thriving community that celebrates lifelong learning.  

From idea to action 

The project demanded more than just a solid signage concept, it required a full orchestration of people, departments, and processes within an arts organization. 

Here’s how it came together: 

• The RC staff initiated the concept and shaped the goals of the project
• A professional copywriter crafted the evergreen messaging in collaboration with consulting translators
• The OTSFM Marketing Department designed the look and layout of the signs, ensuring visual consistency with other institutional messaging and branding
• External vendors were brought on to fabricate and deliver the signs
• The Operations Department stepped in to coordinate the physical installation of the signs across two campuses 

This type of collaboration demonstrates what’s possible when departments across an organization share a project. Bringing visibility not only to the RC, but to the values of communication and a shared mission across OTSFM. 

Why signs and why now? 

The numbers tell a compelling story - since reopening the RC in October 2021, library engagement is on the rise:  

• Weekly visits have rebounded to 50–75 patrons, exceeding pre-pandemic levels
• Circulation increased over 60% in just three months (October ‘23 - January ‘24)
• Signed user agreements jumped 250% after new promotional strategies 

RC staff saw this as a critical moment to build on.  The goal? A 25% increase in visitors, circulation, and program attendance within a year of installation.  

The signs are a thoughtfully designed communication strategy featuring: 

• Bilingual evergreen text in English and Spanish, explaining the RC’s mission and resources
• Accessible formats, large text, and CVD-compliant designs
• Unified design aligned with OTSFM’s visual identity
• Strategic placement in high-traffic areas like classrooms, lounges, and hallways 

A model of collaboration and a tool for discovery 

For libraries embedded in larger institutions, visibility often depends on interdepartmental advocacy. This project succeeded because of clear communication, shared goals, and a willingness to collaborate across functional silos. 

This week’s blog post was written by Laura Brettholle & Colby Maddox, Old Town School of Folk Music.  

This project was made possible by the My Library Is... Grant.