As part of our series, “The Essentials,” we’ll discuss the required elements of yearbook. Today, we’ll focus on the table of contents.
A yearbook serves several functions; it’s a picture book, memory book, historical book and a reference book. A table of contents is an essential part of the reference function. It should be reader-friendly, accurate and tied to the look of the book.
Reader service
A table of contents is a vital reader service. It lays out the organization of the book, letting buyers know the different sections and where they start. At a minimum, the TOC should include each section name and the page it begins on. A more detailed TOC could feature popular spread topics that students will look for like football, Homecoming and seniors. A third option is to list every spread in the book. An alternative is to do a simple, concise TOC at the beginning of the book and provide an extensive list on each of the division spreads.
Placement
A logical place to run the TOC is on the front endsheets. This allows the reader to instantly know the book’s organization from the first opening of the book. Another option is to place it on the title page. While some books do move the TOC to the opening spread (pages 2-3), we prefer this space be saved for introducing the theme with dynamic photography and captivating theme copy.
Hill Country Christian School and Westwood High School placed the table of contents on their title pages in 2016 and 2018, respectively. In 2018, The Hockaday School ran the TOC on pages 10-11, after the theme opening spreads.
Reader-friendly design
It’s important the TOC is inviting and easy to read. Make sure fonts are large enough for readability and the chosen typefaces are legible. Adding bold weights, color or uppercase to the section names and/or page numbers will provide contrast. Placing additional space between the page numbers, topics and different sections also enhances readability.
Visual/Verbal connections
Regardless of where the TOC is placed, it should tie to the look of the book. Visually, there should be connections to the theme through the use of typography, colors and graphics. If the theme is using a circle motif, then circles should be incorporated into the TOC design. For verbal connections, a spinoff title is a fun and creative way to connect to the theme. For example, if the theme is “It’s all here,” the table of contents could be named “Start here.”
The table of contents for the 2018 Horizon and Suncoast books both have clever verbal tie-ins to the theme. Horizon named each section to connect with “the outline” theme. Suncoast’s detailed TOC is named “Everything in the book,” a spinoff of the “Everything under the sun” theme.
Accuracy
Since the TOC is such a valuable reader service, accuracy is essential. Make sure to solidify the topics and their corresponding pages. For spring delivery books, the endsheets are usually needed by January. If you’re planning on that location, strive to have locked in all your spread topics by then. If you’re unsure, consider moving the TOC to the title page or running a more general version on the endsheets and detailed versions on the division pages.
A table of contents is a necessary reference tool, conveying essential information about the book and its contents. It’s an opportunity to support the theme both visually and verbally. This reader service should be accurate and reader-friendly.
