READ Poster Guidelines
The Nebraska Library Commission, in partnership with the Regional Library
Systems, is experimenting with a pilot project to encourage Nebraska librarians
to create unique local promotional materials. For a limited number of Nebraska
libraries and school media centers, we will use the ALA READ software to convert
your photographs into files that you can have printed as posters and other
promotional items. These files will be produced on a first come- first served
basis-turnaround time is expected to be several weeks.
If you are interested in taking photographs for us to produce into files that
you can use to create local READ posters, please follow the photography
guidelines and licensing considerations below. We suggest that you take
photographs of your customers, library boards, and local celebrities to be made
into READ promotional materials. You can also take photos of staff, but photos
of community members make fantastic READ posters.
For more information, see the American Library Association (ALA) Web site,
http://www.ala.org/, (click on Products and
Publications, click on Make your own READ posters) or contact Mary Jo Ryan,
402-471-3434, 800-307-2665,
email.
Photography Guidelines
- Digital photographs should be mailed to Mary Jo Ryan, Nebraska Library
Commission, The Atrium, 1200 N St., Suite 120, Lincoln NE 68508-2023 on a
cd-please do not e-mail photos.
- Digital photographs must be 300 dpi or larger-save as high resolution or raw
files.
- Include the name of school or library in the file name of each photograph.
- Shoot far enough away from the subject so that the subject does not fill the
entire frame.
- Shoot the subject's head no larger than ½ the frame size.
- Shoot the photos vertically (portrait), not horizontally (landscape).
- Take several shots of each subject. We will select the one the works best.
- Make sure the subject holds the book so the title can be read. Avoid shiny
book covers-glare obscures the title.
- There are two options for READ posters. They can be made using the
background in your photo or the ALA background files can be inserted behind your
photo subject. See below for background details.
Background Details
If your preference is to insert one of the ALA background files behind your
photo subject, please set up the photograph as follows:
- Shoot the subject in front of a solid color, not brick or textured.
- Shoot the subject in good lighting, with as few shadows as possible.
- Make sure the face is as clear as possible.
- Contrast the background with the subjects' clothing as much as possible.
If your preference is to use the background that shows up in your photograph,
try to avoid a cluttered background and match the background to the interests of
the individual or the content of the book they have chosen.
Licensing Considerations
Since the word READ is a registered trademark of the American Library
Association, the Nebraska Library Commission was required to purchase this
software in order to make READ poster files from your photographs. We are not
allowed to share the software with you.
In addition the Licensing Agreement specifies:
The images and layouts are for use only by registered non-profit purchasers only
to enhance reading programs and to promote them. The images may not be
incorporated in products offered for sale. An image(s) may not be incorporated
in a product for the purpose of redistributing the image(s), and the images
themselves may not be sold or rented, or downloaded or transferred
electronically such as on an electronic network or bulletin board. Pornographic
or defamatory use of the images is prohibited.
This project was supported in part by the United States Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provision of the Library Services and Technology Act, and/or state funding appropriated by the Nebraska legislature, granted and administered by the Nebraska Library Commission.