ASSOCIATES (vol. 6, no. 2, November 1999) - associates.ucr.edu
by
Linda Rae Putnam
Documents Department
Florida State University
lputnam@mailer.fsu.edu
It does not matter what kind of library you work in, academic, public,corporate, school, or one of the myriad of other types around the world. All of us have to create signs, brochures, and handouts. Whatever you are trying to publicize, you need to use your imagination to try to capture the public's attention. Most of us dread this because designing something which will attract attention and stir the imagination is not easy. Over and over on the Libsup-L library paraprofessional list, I have heard comments about patrons who come up to the desk asking questions about an issue when there was a large sign nearby with the information clearly stated on it.
Yesterday I was at the Documents Information Desk. This is a huge desk, easily covering a 20 foot semicircle with a large ugly grey square right above it which reads "Documents Department". A patron approached the desk. I looked up at him and asked him if I could help him and he asked "Is this the Document's Department". I was good; really, I was good. I did not point to the sign, I just smiled and said "Yes Sir, may I help you?" This situation is not unusual. It is a fact of life that most people just do not read signs. I, of course, would never be caught doing the same in a grocery store.....
This is why I have put together a list of sites which have information about accessing clip art. Some of the sites have free clip art and some of hem have a way to order a CD-ROM with the art. The variety is here because every library uses a different type of computer and/or software and each has its own criteria of what can and cannot be used.
Good luck with designing your new announcements, and I hope that someone actually reads them.
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http://www.netins.net/showcase/meyers/library_clipart/clipart.html
Library Clipart - a collection of over 100 library related pieces of clipart and icons. The creator would like to hear from anyone who finds this site useful.
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http://www.venturnet.com/clipart/index.htm
VenturNet is pleased to offer you FREE CLIP ART, feel free to use it as you wish in your personal or business site. There are no limits on usage, no charges, no hidden hooks.
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http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Heights/3671/
Check out the Free Art Zone which has a small collection of clipart for use with web pages.
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http://birding.miningco.com/hobbies/birding/library/blclip-direct.htm
This huge clipart collection now has some new images: ducklings, springlike bird borders, lots of new parrots and hummingbirds too! All free for you to use.
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http://www.billybear4kids.com/
I have found the "Billy Bear" site a wonderful source for kidlike clip art. It's worth checking out!!
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In this English site you'll a clipart warehouse including thousands of free clip art images.
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http://www.ssdesign.com/prtalkshop/art/index.html
FREE Web clipart available from ALA's PRTalkShop!
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http://www.geocities.com/~bizart/valentine/
It*s the home of *The Clipart of Romance.*
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http://members.aol.com/carsoft
Automotive Clip Art The CarSoft site includes a sampler download with some great line art: '70 Superbird, '49 Ford Woody, '36 Buick Century and more! All are ready to use as is or you can 'paint', customize, modify and/or create complete scenes.
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http://www.webplaces.com/search
If you have ever tried to find clip art by searching the entire Internet, you know it's like looking for a needle in the proverbial haystack. This site will be like a gift from the heavens for you. It contains search engines that will do the digging for you. Just tell them what you're looking for and kick back in your easy chair.
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http://www.webplaces.com/search
Clipart Connection is a super site for anyone wanting a variety of clipart. There are freebies galore as well as lots of public domain stuff.
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http://desktoppublishing.com/cliplist.html
Clipart and Image Paradise. Includes lifelike images that all will enjoy. This includes a section of holiday images.
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http://macwww.lerc.nasa.gov/MUG/ClipArt.html
Contains a large selection of links to clipart for webpages and word processing.
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http://www.ability.org.uk/clip.html
Clipart index to information around the world. The clipart on this site is alphabetized by subject. Just click on the letter of choice and enjoy the variety they own.
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http://www.onemileup.com/congress.html
Federal Clip Art: A Congress of Artwork
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Texas A&M Agricultural Communications Clip Art. Look under Graphics and follow the links from there.
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http://www.nvtech.com/index.html
Hundreds of FREE Clip Art images!!! Cool Web icons, vector illustrations, cartoons, photos and more. Your best source for color graphics on the Internet!
