ACRL News Issue (B) of College & Research Libraries


May 1 9 9 6 /2 7 9

N ew sletters th at w o rk
On January 21, 1996, at the ALA Midwin­

ter Meeting in San Antonio, ACRL’s Public Re­
lations in Academic Libraries (PRIAL) Discus­
sion Group sponsored the first of an intensive 
two-part workshop on publishing “Newslet­
ters That W ork.” The workshop was con­
ducted by newsletter professionals Barbara 
Blake and Barbara Stein, coauthors of Neal- 
Schuman’s C reating Newsletters, B rochures, 
a n d  P am phlets: A How-to-Do-It M anual.

This first session of the workshop focused 
on the technical aspects of design, layout, and 
production. Several representative newsletters 
submitted by participants were selected for 
close analysis. Blake and Stein view newslet­
ters as the present-day equivalent of the per­
sonal letter; they should be brief, warm, con­
sistent, portable, and easy to recognize, read, 
and absorb. They should provide the quick 
satisfaction of a note from an old friend.

Most suggestions emphasized easy read­
ability, using the “keep it simple, stupid” ap­
proach. Use an 8 º x  11” format, no covers, 
and aim for a length of four to six pages. 
Select high-quality white, cream, or light gray 
paper with black or blue ink, and avoid bright 
or fluorescent colors. Choose one typeface, 
preferably serif, and use it in a maximum of 
three sizes, with 12-point as the predominant 
type size. Use additional color cautiously, no 
more than one, and in the same place every 
time (the nameplate, for example). Divide the

page into two columns whenever possible. 
Be simple and consistent in page layout, main­
taining the same structure within each issue 
and among successive issues, so that your 
newsletter develops a unique, instantly rec­
ognizable look.

Blake and Stein emphasize the importance 
o f title, logo, nameplate, and masthead. They 
recommend a short, descriptive title without 
trendy terms that will date. Include copyright 
notice, volume and issue numbers, editorial 
staff, page numbers, and a brief table o f con­
tents for a professional appearance. Again, 
be consistent in use of these elements and in 
their placement within successive issues.

Caution was also advised in the use of 
graphics, which can be counterproductive if 
poorly done, purposeless, cliched, too cute, 
or disproportionate. Bar charts are generally 
more legible than pie or line charts. Most 
novices fail to leave enough white space.

The second  part o f “Newsletters That 
Work” will focus on writing and editorial con­
tent and will take place at the ALA Annual 
Conference in New York. Check your pro­
gram for details, and join PRIAL for what is 
sure to be another practical, “hands-on” ses­
sion, focusing directly on improving your pro­
fessional performance. For more information, 
contact PRIAL chair Jennifer Paustenbaugh at 
jp a u s t@ O k w a y .o k s ta te .e d u .— M a r g a r e t  
Gordon, University o f  C aliforn ia, S an ta Cruz

ing, tenure and promotion, displays and ex­
hibits, and searching and hiring procedures. 
Older CLIP Notes looked at newsletters, inter- 
library loan procedures, staff development and 
continuing education, emergency planning, and 
managing student employees.

To suggest a topic or volunteer to be a com­
piler contact: Elizabeth Sudduth, CLIP Note 
Committee Chair, Randolph-Macon College, 
Ashland, VA 23005; (804) 752-7258; e-mail: 
esudduth@rmc.edu.

C h o ice Ethnic Studies on sale
The Ethnic Studies series, compiled by the edi­
torial staff of C hoice‚ is on sale for 50% off, 
through August 1, 1996.

Each volume contains carefully selected re­
views of recent scholarly titles dealing with a

single American ethnic group. The four tides 
are: A frica n  a n d  A fric a n  A m e r ic a n  S tudies 
($12), A sian a n d  A sian A m erican  Studies ($11), 
Latino Studies ($11), and Native A m erican  Stud­
ies ($8.50). Send prepaid orders (include $5.00 
fo r s/h) to: Steven Conforti, C h o ic e , 100 
Riverview Center, Middletown, CT 06457.

Censorship exhibit available
“Censorship in Public Colleges and Universi­
ties,” a new exhibit developed by the Long Is­
land Coalition Against Censorship, is ready for 
distribution. The exhibit examines more than 
20 incidents o f censorship from McCarthyism 
in the 1950s through the present day. Incidents 
such as censoring lectures, films, plays, student 
newspapers, and sex discrimination are de­
scribed. Twenty-three 11” x 14” illustrations (21

mailto:esudduth@rmc.edu