We always think about classes, clubs, events and sports to cover. But what about the details behind that coverage? Do you acknowledge the hard work your staffers put in? Or the people who support your efforts? Or the production tools used to create the book?
A lot of details, people and technology go into making a yearbook. Acknowledging those details should be a small part of your yearbook content. This can be broken down into four parts: the colophon, editor’s note, staff list/pictures and thank yous.
The colophon is a complete description of the publication or production notes relevant to the volume. Located at the end of the book, it includes:
The colophon should run near the back of the book: after the senior ads, before or after the index, or on the back endsheet. Often, it is placed on a spread with the editor’s note and staff pictures. For schools with limited space, the colophon is sometimes run on the last spread or final page of the book.
This is an opportunity for the editor to reminisce about the year and thank staffers, students and professionals for helping with the book. Editors can also discuss the theme, challenges along the way and things learned throughout the year. If there are multiple editors, they can write individual letters or a collaborative one. Adding a picture helps readers connect the editor’s thoughts with the person sharing the reflections.
A staff list is needed as part of the historical record. A staff picture could also be included or individual staff pictures if space allows. (If you run separate pictures, this is a creative place to list the pages the staffer worked on.) Staff recognition ranges from a simple staff list on the back endsheet to two pages dedicated to the staff. In some cases, staffs forgo a yearbook spread in the organizations section and dedicate their coverage to this page or spread. Other staffs stick to just a list so they can fit the colophon and editor’s note on the same spread.
The book doesn’t make itself. Hundreds of people contribute to the staff’s efforts: teachers who let you invade their classrooms for pictures and interviews, students who agree to those pictures and interviews, coaches who provide scores and statistics, custodians who open doors late at night and clean up messy workspaces and takeout containers.
There’s also the production and technical help: studio photographers who take and prepare portraits, yearbook representatives who facilitate deadlines, account executives who track progress and troubleshoot printing issues, and customer service which helps with everything from ordering supplies to technical support.
Showing gratitude acknowledges other people’s support and reminds staffs it takes more than hard work to complete a yearbook. And saying thank you goes a long way to continuing support in future years. While thank yous and acknowledgments can be separate content, they are often blended into the colophon or the editor’s note. The important thing is to express gratitude.
While the primary focus of the year is on coverage, writing, photography and design, a sliver of that focus should be on how the book came together. It’s important to recognize the staff that made it happen, the people who supported you and the production tools used to create the book. Having a dedicated space for the colophon, editor’s note, staff list and thank yous acknowledges the details, people and technology that go into making a yearbook.