Here’s the story:  When Dr. Swigger, the Dean of the School, presented a preliminary draft of an address he was to give to an assembly of Military Librarians in Washington, D.C. about strategies for the future of library schools,  it became obvious that the logical progression of his metaphor to the matter of gutsy-ness  (drop the ball, run with the ball, pass the ball...etc.) was WAY too risky for an audience of women.  His point, however eventually made, was: we’re either on the ball, or we’re not.  It is my hope “SLIS Ball” captures the essence of the undelivered metaphor, and that it reflects the desired image of  The School of Library and Information Studies of the Texas Woman’s University...  

          The sphere is a symbol of wholeness and continuity.*    The letters, SLIS, in Bookman Old Style font, are shadowed by the sphere to bring focus and reflection to the whole.  The sphere distinguishes the components of the acronym and gives (equal) distinction to the two named aspects of the school:  Library, and Information, emphasizing the name is “Studies,” NOT science, an important point.

  * The POTENTIAL of this logo is that the sphere can ALSO be animated, in print or digital format.  For the webpage, imagine a maroon sphere bouncing from one click to another...

in print, imagine a program guide with a “SLIS ball” bouncing around:

                                                                      SLIS       

 

           The “SLIS Ball” logo expresses a McLuhanesque influence.  The play between the black and white letters reflects inseparability.  The reverberation between the white letters and the sphere demands reflection.  The black letters on the white field imply tradition.  The “off-centered-ness”of the sphere compels motion.  These graphical elements combine to represent the practice, philosophy, and challenge of  The School of Library and Information Studies, Texas Woman’s University.

            Most people who see the “SLIS Ball” logo are not going to “get ” this subtle sense of our school  (though I’m sure we’ll all jump at the chance to explain!)   Most will not recognize “SLIS Ball” is an icon of a metaphor for the options of the future.  Instead, they will see a ball in play: the object of  the image.  

            Just like librarianship, and library schools,  “SLIS Ball” has many sides...

                                SLIS         

School of Library  and Information Studies Texas Woman’s University

The “SLIS Ball” logo is serious FUN!

  Its eye-catching simplicity lends instant bounce and recognition to name tags, buttons, mugs, T-shirts, bumper stickers, book bags, brochures, flyers and conference material...

                                                       ...it’s action

                                                             in motion,                   

                                                                             it’s...

...on the BALL!         

one final thought:

                   SLIS Balls.  (You’ve either got ‘em, or you don’t)