COK’s Guide to Library Displays

Why Libraries?

Hundreds of thousands of individuals of all ages visit public libraries each year, to browse, research, read, and learn. Often, holiday, seasonal, regional, or other topical displays are set up in open areas to present a single theme or collection. As patrons are immersed in stories, news, and ideas, why not enrich their minds with thoughts of compassion for animals with a pro-animal display?

Eye-catching displays on the hows and whys of vegetarian eating can be a simple and inexpensive—but highly effective—tool to help animals. While just one person can create and set up an animal-friendly display, hundreds or even thousands will see its message, making it a wonderfully efficient outreach tool.

How to Work with a Library

At first glance, getting authorization to set up a display on animal protection issues or vegetarian eating might seem daunting, but it’s much easier than you imagine. Simply contact the library and ask to speak with the librarian or library manager. Politely ask for permission to put up a display on modern agricultural issues. You’ll likely be asked questions such as: What organization do you represent? Is the material suitable for a younger audience? What will be included in the display?

Generally, libraries do not permit for-profit companies to set up displays, so if you represent a nonprofit organization, let the librarian know. Otherwise simply state that you’re a resident of that library’s county or city. Give your assurance that the display will not be graphic and its take-away literature, photos, and text will be appropriate for all ages.

In COK’s experience, the only obstacle in getting permission has been space limitations within the library or a waiting list for displays. If you encounter the former, check out other area libraries that are bigger or more accommodating. If the latter, add your name to the list and select another library where you can start immediately.

How to Create a Display

To catch the eye of a library patron—and to hold it—the display should be attention-grabbing yet easy to follow and understand. Take advantage of the space given by the library and make the display as large as permitted. The display should look as professional as possible, with easy to read panels, large photos with captions, and literature viewers can take home with them. Avoid the mindset that every inch of the display should be used; a cluttered or text-heavy display isn’t inviting.

It’s best if the general concept of the display can be understood within a few seconds, as that’s all the time someone might spend walking past it. Most people will only look at pictures and captions, so make sure the points you raise about factory farming or vegetarian eating can be grasped through those two means.

Pictures: Most libraries will not allow photos that are too graphic. So, most likely, images from slaughterhouses are out of the question, but photos from factory farms may be allowed, as has been our experience. Three very effective pictures to use are animals in battery cages, veal crates, and gestation crates. None of these images contains any blood, yet all still portray the undeniable torture these animals suffer every day of their lives.

Text: The language on the display should be simple and direct, letting the reader easily understand each caption without being overwhelmed with text. For example, accompanying a picture of a pig in a gestation crate, our caption reads: “Modern breeding sows are treated like piglet-making machines. The sows barely have the room to stand up and lie down, and live the entirely of their lives on concrete floors.”

Thought-provoking quotations can also be effective, such as: “The question is not, Can they reason? Nor Can they talk? But, Can they suffer?” —Jeremy Bentham, philosopher

Take-Away Literature: Well-chosen literature that viewers can take and read at their leisure are essential for the impact of your display to be felt outside the library walls. Literature should be placed in front of the display, easily accessible for onlookers. Providing a variety of materials is also important, such as COK’s Vegetarian Starter Guide, Vegan Outreach’s Try Vegetarian or Why Vegan?, PETA’s Vegetarian Starter Kit, and COK’s Easy Vegan Recipes.

Following Up

Once the display is up and going, be sure to routinely visit the library to restock any literature and make any adjustments. Letting the librarian know you’re there to check on the display shows your diligence and sense of responsibility, and being friendly and engaging only makes your experience more memorable and positive, increasing the likelihood that you can set up additional displays in the future.

Get to It!

You’re now all set to create your own library display! Once you see the ease and impact of your work for the animals in that first library, please don’t stop. Contact another library and another and another. The more library displays you create and set up, the more people will be exposed to the message of mercy and compassion … and the sooner animal cruelty will be a thing of the past.

	Putting It All Together
Ready to create your display but unsure where and how to start? Here are some helpful tips and downloadable posters to get you on your way! The Table: While most libraries will have a table you can use, they won’t supply table covers, which make the display look much tidier and professional. Check out area stores like Target, CVS, or Hallmark for inexpensive, vinyl tablecloths. The Literature: If your budget allows, plastic or cardboard literature stands make the display more inviting and encourage viewers to pick up materials. Office supply stores stock them in all sizes and styles. The Display Board: Most office supply stores sell inexpensive, cardboard, 36- by 48-inch display boards, the perfect size for a small table. The Display: Please feel free to download the posters we use on our displays. After you print them, you can use double-stick tape to affix them to the display board. Be sure to run the tape along each of the four edges and smooth down the posters to ensure a clean, crisp look. Also, if possible, print them on glossy paper to give an extra boost to your display! If you don’t have access to a color printer, copy stores like Kinko’s will output them for you at minimal cost. The Downloadable Posters: Below are Adobe PDF versions of our library display posters you can download and print. 1—Header The header is sized for an 11- by 17-inch piece of paper (called “tabloid” or “ledger”) and with a “landscape” orientation. That is, it’s wider than tall. Click here to download. 2—Frequently Asked Questions These two sheets of paper are also 11- by 17-inches, but with “portrait” orientation. Click here to download. 3—Dog on a Plate An 8.5- by 11-inch, landscape poster. Click here to download. 4—Battery-Caged Hens An 8.5- by 11-inch, landscape poster. Click here to download. 5—Pig in a Gestation Crate An 8.5- by 11-inch, landscape poster. Click here to download. 6—Call to Action An 8.5- by 11-inch, landscape poster. Click here to download. 7—Calf in a Veal Crate An 8.5- by 11-inch, landscape poster. Click here to download. 8—Contact Information An 8.5- by 11-inch, landscape poster. Click here to download. That’s all there is to it! Good luck and thank you for all you’re doing for the animals!