November 2nd, 2009
I’m thrilled to announce that the latest addition to the READ CD product line is now here! The READ DVD Genres & Subjects can speak for itself, but I’m too excited to let it do all the talking. Here are the highlights:
We spoke to over 100 librarians to get their feedback on what the most popular reading genres and subjects are, and thanks to their feedback we now have art files that reflect everything from horror to adventure, crafting to cooking, mystery to science, and so much more! (Page 2 of this PDF shows the complete contents.)
Genres & Subjects is a DVD as opposed to CD because of the 23 READ poster files (15 .psd or “layered” and 8 .jpgs), 15 READ bookmark files, and 16 READ type files, which would have required multiple CDs but can conveniently fit onto 1 DVD. The majority of the type files fit the poster themes, but there are some additional ones like stained glass and architecture, which are great to mix and match with other READ CD products.
- Cooking up READ Posters!
That’s another exciting thing about Genres & Subjects: it’s compatible with any past READ CD product and the art files are great to mix and match with posters and type files from the READ CD Box Set. Something else I love about this latest DVD is that thanks to theme, the art files have some awesome creative potential. For now, I’ll leave it at that, but be sure to come back in ensuing weeks to check out new creative ideas and samples!
And last but not least, you may be seeing a lot about the READ Design Studio now. That’s simply the inclusive name we’ve given all the products (READ CD 1, READ CD 2, READ CD Box Set, and READ DVD Genres & Subjects) you can use to create a customized READ poster.
[Note: The cooking art file pictured here does not include the "DVD", fork, or spoon. All the other elements are present on the file, though, and obviously more can easily be added!]
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October 14th, 2009
This week will end our look back through some ALA Graphics catalogs from decades past. But before we return to our regularly schedule READ CD programming, let us pause to remember some great celebrities from the 1990s:
Celebrity READ Posters
In the top row we have super-model Cindy Crawford, followed by super-Spaniard Antonio Banderas. In the bottom we have Muhammad Ali who is, to my knowledge, the 2nd celebrity to pose with a stuffed animal. (See Bette Midler in this post.) And finally a young Michael Keaton.
An unlikely quartet?
Then we have this foursome. In the top row we have film director Spike Lee next to newswoman Barbara Walters, and then the rock band R.E.M next to the King, Elvis Presley. Perhaps that should be ALA Graphics new motto: Bringing celebrities together since 1980!
Well I hope you’ve enjoyed these three posts showcasing some of the notable vintage Celebrity READ Posters. Next post will be back with more about the READ DVD. Yes, DVD! As we speak the READ DVD Genres & Subjects is in production. With so many fabulous art files representing over 23 genres and subjects, we expanded to a DVD so it all fits conveniently on one disc! I can’t wait to share more and get your feedback!
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October 1st, 2009
As promised last week, I present you with another installation of Graphics throwback catalogs and celebrities. Rather than tell you what decade we’re in, I’ll let you be the judge based on this cover:
Graphics Cover
Give up? Couldn’t figure it out? Well the answer, dear readers, is 1989. A mere two years before Michael Jackson released the hit single “Black or White”, which this catalog clearly anticipated. Sometimes it’s hard being so ahead of the curve. But I digress.
Let us open this catalog to reveal the stars that were appearing on READ posters two decades prior.
Celebrity READ Lineup
If you get out your magnifying glass you will spy the likes of a young Michael J. Fox, 1 of 2 Oprah Celebrity READ posters, a pre-Sex in the City Mikhail Baryshnikov, a lovely Phylicia Rashad, and a post-Ziggy Stardust David Bowie (row 1). In the next row we see Phil Collins donning a coon-skin hat, a mustachioed Ruben Blades, a charming Goldie Hawn, Mister George Burns, and the other parental star from the Cosby Show (row 2). Finally, we have Sting in full cape and Bette Midler in full pajamas along with Diahann Carroll and a classic Paul Newman. What a lineup, huh?!
Next week I’ll finish up this blast from the past with a few celebs from the early 90s. (Surprisingly, I don’t believe anyone is wearing plaid.) Until then, check out our current offerings of Celebrity READ Posters, and leave your suggestions for any you feel missing in the comments section!
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September 23rd, 2009
This morning I decided that ALA Graphics catalogs are like high school yearbooks. Except that all the “photos” are celebrities. And last time I checked I couldn’t order anything out of my yearbook. Okay, so not a perfect comparison, but there is that certain mix of hilarity, surprise, and nostalgia that comes from opening an old Graphics catalog. Thus, I thought I would interrupt our regular blog programming for a few weeks to share with you some of my favorite finds.
This morning we go back to the year of 1994: Back to a time when Emeril wasn’t competing with a host of other chefs with TV series and Jason Kidd and Marion Jones were only in the news for their athletic talent. The spread below features: Serena Williams, Tony Hawk, Matt Kenseth (row 1); Jason Kidd, Landon Donovan, Shaquille O’Neal, Mike Mussina, Marion Jones (row 2); Michelle Kwan, Emeril Lagasse, Tara Dakides, Rebecca Lobo, Mat Hoffman, Grant Hill (row 3).
Celebrity READ Posters
Here’s another spread featuring many famous musicians of the ’90s including Coolio, Indigo Girls, Stephen Hawking (I’m not sure if Mr. Hawking would find it amusing or disturbing to know he’s been grouped with “hot” American musicians of the early 90s. As he’s holding Marilyn Monroein his poster, I tend to think he’s a little less stuffy and posses a better sense of humor than most theoretical physicists.) , “Weird Al” Yankovic, Britney Spears (row 1); Ani DiFranco, Bill Gates, LL Cool J, Melissa Etheridge, Christina Ricci, Danny Glover (row 2).
More Celebrity READ Posters
And one last spread for your viewing pleasure, featuring some READ Posters that were considered “backlist” in 2004: Edward James Olmos, Nicolas Cage, Susan Sarandon, Graham Greene, Tim Robbins, Mel Gibson.
Oldies but Goodies
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September 17th, 2009
When I think of the great books I’ve read, nearly all have come at the recommendation of a friend, teacher, or parent. My mom was way ahead of the game when she gave me Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone the Christmas of 8th grade. Later, my dad would recommend The Agony and the Ectasy. Throughout school, teachers and librarians led me to read everything from excellent poetry to graphics novels and some astounding classics. Lately, it has been friends imparting their reading wisdom with books like The Road and Pastoralia. Regardless of how you come to read the books you do, I think we all appreciate suggestions from trusted friends, librarians, and others.
And that’s, of course, where the READ CD can help! We typically discuss issues and ideas surrounding putting an image onto the poster backgrounds, but rarely do we mention that words can make a great poster, too!
Whether you want to make signage for the end of stacks, promote library events, or display staff/teacher picks, simply click off the “eye” button to make the placeholder invisible and then use the “Horizantal Text Tool”. In the example below I used the Posted Poster from disc 2 of the READ CD Box Set as the dropback for a list recommending great authors of the Western genre.
WANTED
There are myriad ways to use READ posters as signs around your library and school. Let us know some of the ways you are using them!
And if you’re thinking, hmm…wouldn’t it be great if there were more art files like this Western-themed one that so perfectly paired with reading genres and subjects, you will be happy to know that just an item is coming to the ALA Store soon! Keep your eyes peeled for the next addition to the READ CD software…!
[Note: Authors compiled with help of Joyce Sarick's Readers' Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction.]
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August 10th, 2009
School is starting again in the next few weeks, and once again I’ll be heading back through the doors of an institution of learning. But this time it will be as an elementary school librarian instead of as a student.
I found out during my interview that the school I’ll be working at owns a number of those nifty Flip cameras, which means I’ve spent some time brainstorming how to use those. I decided that it’d be really fun to have the fifth graders make some movie trailers of the books the younger students are reading. I think it’ll be a fun way to foster a sense of a reading community and connect students of different ages over the same books.
I’m also planning, at the suggestion of my supervising librarian here in Texas, on doing a “One School, One Book” program, encouraging every teacher and student to read Ramona the Brave in the early part of the second semester since the movie will be coming out in the spring and the Ramona books tend to appeal to a large age group. In connection with that, I’m hoping to have every child make their own “Celebrity” READ poster with a copy of the book. How fun would that be?
I’m excited to use the READ software to do some really exciting and creative things in my new library. Any other good ideas?
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August 3rd, 2009
Impossible. The beeping alarm sounds at least 3 hours too soon. No possible way it could already be 6:40am. But, alas, it is. Welcome to Monday morning. I rise and begin the daily routine: make the coffee, take a shower, check the weather, get some breakfast… This is the morning agenda. It unfolds this way because the repetition requires little thought from someone not known as a “morning person”. Any deviation from the routine can prove problematic.
Therefore when I tip the cereal box and only a few errant flakes fall into the bowl, the whole morning comes to a halt. My brain does not think of alternatives. It does not consider the full bag of bread and toaster oven just to my right. It does not remember that an apple also serves as breakfast when in a pinch. It only perceives the nearly empty bowl.
* * *
A question I have received often over the past weeks is in regards to installing Photoshop Elements, the software packaged with the READ CD Box Set. I can imagine these READ CD users, poised at their computers, ready to create READ posters, the folder opened to install Photoshop, only to find they have no cereal. Serial. The serial number! A serial number is required to install Photoshop Elements?? Where is it?!
That much-needed number is on page 3 of the Getting Started Guide. And indeed knowing where the cereal/serial is, helps with getting started in the morning. 
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July 28th, 2009
I recently attended a dinner party and was introduced to a new food: quinoa [keen-wah]. This little chenopod is a complete protein and mixed with dried cranberries and a light basil-lemon dressing, it was much easier to eat than it is to spell! Many other delicious foods were present at the dinner, but the unfamiliar quinoa stood out and reminded me how lovely it is to try new things.
Recently, I received an email from a woman explaining that she would be teaching two sessions on the READ CD Box Set during an upcoming conference* called Branch Out. How appropriate that during this conference, whose tagline is Beyond Your Comfort Zone, this woman would be bringing together people from different library branches to share a great way to promote literacy and reach out to your community!
This “branch out” theme would work as a great mechanism to recognize students and patrons that have recently tried new things. Set up a Branch Out week or month where, at the start, people set a goal to explore something new with the help of their library. It could be as basic as delving into a new genre of book. Or more involved like reading up about a different culture’s food then using the library’s resources to find a delicious recipe to whip up at home (I suggest quinoa!). Toward the end of Branch Out, participants could have a show and tell where they report back on their findings and have their picture taken with the library resource that helped them Branch Out. Not only would those READ posters be sure to spark conversation but they would undoubtedly instill a sense of confidence and pride for those who had taken on something new!
*Knowing that the license agreement restricts software installation and use on more than one computer, she requested permission to download 1 poster file to each computer for use during the session only. This is a great solution for those wanting to instruct/workshop with the READ CD. If you have other permissions questions, please don’t hesitate to write an email.
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July 16th, 2009
Hello there fine readers!
Just returned from a fantastic Annual Conference where attendance, spirits, and sales were all up! I get to speak with customers and members on a daily basis through my work with ALA Graphics, but I always find the face-to-face interactions at conference valuable. Spending time with the people we exist for to discuss libraries and literacy is rejuvenating and inspiring.
In between refilling the poster rack with additional Jonas Brothers READ Posters, I did several READ CD demos. Many people shared that they had owned the READ CD Box Set for quite some time but for one reason or another had put off using it. Well, luckily, we have a blog to remedy all that! And if you’re not getting the answers here, we can always set up a time to walk through the steps over the phone. Just send an email.
I realize that new technology can be frustrating. Being somewhat a luddite myself, I struggle with this very site! Just prior to this post I was all geared up to install the latest upgrade to WordPress–something I have been putting off for months. Once I was greeted with 3 options for install (the automatic install of which I couldn’t find); pages of instructions; and what appeared to be a foreign language, I gave up. But no one ever promoted literacy by surrendering, so in that vein–give a shout if you’re stuck in the creation of a READ poster, and I’m going to track down someone who knows a bit more (preferably a lot more) about WordPress.
Thanks to all who came to conference and stopped by the store! Hope it was a great experience for you.
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May 18th, 2009
There are some really terrific-looking book adaptation movies coming out this summer, including Where the Wild Things Are, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, and Angels and Demons. And that’s not even considering the ones that have already come out this year, like Confessions of a Shopaholic and Coraline.
I am a serious Harry Potter fan, and I am, like millions of others, desperately excited about the new movie and will probably go see it opening night.
Many libraries, including my local public branch, have had great success with programming associated with movies (whether it be a party or a screening). These recent or upcoming movies give libraries a chance to connect with their patrons and gather people with similar interests.
I love the idea of using the Read CD software to let patrons create their own movie posters at a library movie event. Imagine dozens of Harry Potter posters with teenagers in capes with glasses and scars. Or younger children with copies of Where the Wild Things Are. If your library has a decently high-quality printer, it would be ideal to let people print off their posters and take them home as a favor, rather than making extra work for the library staff to come up with some pricier and less-clever favor.
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