State Library
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

Library for All

Imagine an aged library building. Can you picture the dusty signs with lots of long complex numbers on them? Anyone looking for something here, really needs the patience to find it. We at inkl.Design cracked this tough nut joined forces with Schwerin interior designer Michael Baldauf! After a comprehensive accessibility analysis and a concept for accessibility for the building also the needs of people with limitations are considered. Therefore we have not only graphically polished up the wayfinding system, but also moved half of the library.

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Our biggest challenge: in the library, the book stock is changing constantly. Nothing remains where it is forever. Therefore the labelling had to be changeable and must allow for all possibilities. Inkl. took drastic measures on the former chaos and turned it into little bites that are easier to digest.

Instead of numbered rooms you will now find only numbers for subject areas. If the inventory moves, the number still remains the same. If the book stock moves the number will remain the same. The labeling system we came up with uses innovative magnets, so it can be expanded, reused and further developed at any time.

To further enhance the quality of the stay at the library we also set up reading corners. Striped wallpapers (it looks like a bookshelf) in the colours of the respective section create a good atmosphere.

And if you’re wondering why an ordinary library should consider people who are restricted in their mobility, are visually challenged or blind, we would like to bring up some politics here: Germany is one of the first countries to acknowledge the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It has been committed to the comprehensive inclusion of people with disabilities since 2009.

So it is about time for a reorganisation – also in the Schwerin library.

Photo of one of the orientation boards on a rolling pallet in the manufacturer's factory
Photo of one of the orientation boards on a rolling pallet in the manufacturer's factory
Photo of one of the orientation boards on a rolling pallet in the manufacturer's factory
A young woman in a wheelchair in close-up; smiling, she holds a tactile overview plan in her left hand, with her right hand she gives a "thumbs up".
A young woman in a wheelchair in close-up; smiling, she holds a tactile overview plan in her left hand, with her right hand she gives a "thumbs up".
square sign to mark area B (white capital letter B on light green background)
Pictogram signalling lockable storage of bags and backpacks
Photo with section of the brightly coloured rod elements
Close-up of a tactile plan; here the word "Ausleihe" in black and braille as well as tactile lines and areas.
Vertical lines of different colours on a grey background, used as design elements in different areas of the library
square sign to mark area D (white capital letter D on sunny yellow background)
Photo of the circulation counter, which picks up on the design of the library entrance with the brightly coloured rod elements.
square sign to mark area C (white capital letter C on magenta background)
Close-up of a pictogram indicating quiet areas; on the left the silhouette of a head, in front of it a hand with index finger in front of the mouth, in addition the lettering "Psst".
Close-up of the self-check-in; here the slot for entering the user card is marked by an infographic, below it the pattern with the coloured lines on a grey background.
Photo of the circulation counter, which picks up on the design of the library entrance with the brightly coloured rod elements.
Shot during the implementation of an instruction manual; some elements of the infographic are crossed out, plus handwritten additions and improvements on the printout.
Pictogram informing about video surveillance: a white exclamation mark on a dark grey triangle, to the right of it a stylised video camera and the writing "Video"
Photo of a signalisation for the use of the lifts in the house

Graphic Concept

2Overview sign with exchangeable information on the area, subject areas and room numbers".
Overview sign with the room assignments on the 4 levels of the Landesbibiothek.

Instruction Manual

Operating instructions for the central printer with infographics and text.
Photo of the book return with infographic and text
Operating instructions for self-checkout of loans with infographics and text
Operating instructions for the lockers with infographics and text

Design in Detail

Photo of a coloured signage in the staircase of the library for orientation in the building complex
Photo looking into the work area with reading tables, book shelves and notice boards.
Photo of the main entrance staircase to the first floor with signposts for routing and area marking.
Interior of a locker with the corresponding operating instructions
Interior of a locker with the corresponding operating instructions
Photo looking at a glass door with a strip of coloured sticks as door signalling
Photo looking at a wall surface consisting of a carpet of coloured sticks in a hallway
Left photo: Photo showing a view of a coloured lift sign Right photo: Photo showing the front of a shelf of the open access library with magnetic signs for stock indication and a book deposit table
Photo with view into a stairwell with tactile overview plans and information signs
Photo with view into a stairwell with tactile overview plans and information signs

Inclusion in Use

A blind young woman feels the tactile overview plans at the service counter of the State Library.
two-part image; left: Close-up of tactile fingers on a tactile overview map of the State Library; right: four tactile overview maps embedded in the service counters also offer sighted people the opportunity to find their way around within the library.
two-part image; left: Close-up of tactile fingers on a tactile overview map of the State Library; right: four tactile overview maps embedded in the service counters also offer sighted people the opportunity to find their way around within the library.

Project Details

Project scope: Comprehensive accessibility analysis, inclusion concept for visitors with disabilities, analysis of orientation needs, advice on planning services for tactile floor indicators in outdoor and indoor areas, conception of a wayfinding system, product design of a wayfinding system with updatable elements, conception of barrier-free elements of a wayfinding system (2-sense principle), pictograms, layout and graphic design, production support
Project image Tactilely precious

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