Goodreads Librarians Group discussion
Policies & Practices
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Front cover image versus oriented as in new placeholder
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Lisa
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Dec 30, 2022 10:09AM
The cover policy states image should be of the book's front cover. However, the new placeholder image indicates the spine should also be in the image, oriented as https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3.... Is this really intended?
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It should just be a flat image of the front cover. If you can find a good image from an acceptable source it could be replaced.
Sometimes a tilted or "3D" image is all we can get but it's not standard.
That's what I thought and what I've always done, but the new placeholder image threw me off.
You mean the "no cover" image? I don't see it. I am still on the old design, fortunately.
I'm seeing a photograph of the book cover, but at an angle and with spine visible - not a placeholder
That image is oriented as in the newly designed placeholder pictured here, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6....
Lisa wrote: "That image is oriented as in the newly designed placeholder pictured here, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...."It is what you uploaded in 2017.
So my question is, is this now the preferred image type rather than a flat front cover? I would think not, but the placeholder suggests yes.,
I suspect it's just an odd design choice as there's no change mentioned in the documentation.
This is the new placeholder image, https://d15be2nos83ntc.cloudfront.net.... It is displayed when no cover is uploaded to the record. It is oriented as the "3D" type with the spine and cover visible. This is a real book presented the same way. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
Question is, is there now a preference for images oriented this way, as indicated in the placeholder image?
Scott wrote: "You mean the "no cover" image? I don't see it. I am still on the old design, fortunately."Fortunately, indeed.
Lisa wrote: "So my question is, is this now the preferred image type rather than a flat front cover? I would think not, but the placeholder suggests yes.,"No, it is just the cover you uploaded in 2017. That is the cover on Abe books because that is what they have. We use what is available from acceptable sources. Like you did.
https://help.goodreads.com/s/article/...'Cover images uploaded should only be an image of the actual front cover...' to my mind that would exclude spine, background, and perspectival effects
Martin wrote: "https://help.goodreads.com/s/article/...'Cover images uploaded should only be an image of the actual front cover...' to my mind that would exclude..."
No. We use covers as they are available from acceptable sources.
I can remember the previous moderator telling me that showing the spine or 3D was allowed. & this was where the image had been manipulated to include the spine. (& for coverless hardbacks it can be better to show the spine IMO)But I have at least once in this group changed the image from 3D to a flat one & didn't receive any comment.
Lisa wrote: "Question is, is there now a preference for images oriented this way, as indicated in the placeholder image?"No, the frontal view of the cover is still preferred. Unless there is only a tilted version (with or without spine) available.
The placeholder is just a design 'feature', with no consequences for the policy to use the frontal view cover when available.
Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "But I have at least once in this group changed the image from 3D to a flat one & didn't receive any comment.."Yes, my comments were perhaps too brief. Finding a cover from an acceptable source that improves the existing cover quality while still being the exact same cover is acceptable practice. Unfortunately, with books published 20 and more years ago, we're happy to use what we can.
Martin wrote: "https://help.goodreads.com/s/article/...'Cover images uploaded should only be an image of the actual front cover...' to my mind that would exclude..."
As I've always understood it as well. So long as no communication has gone out stating otherwise, I'll assume this has not changed. It sounds like I did not miss any announcement regarding this. Thank you.
Martin wrote: "https://help.goodreads.com/s/article/...'Cover images uploaded should only be an image of the actual front cover...' to my mind that would exclude spine, background, and perspectival effects
"
This is stating the policy too narrowly. There is nothing that precludes cover images with spines or presented in a perspective. Sometimes a cover image has been photographed on a table with personal things in the background, although we try to crop those images.
My pleasure Lisa. I think it is good to have discussions like this.Wishing everyone a Happy & Safe New Year!
Lisa wrote: "Martin wrote: "https://help.goodreads.com/s/article/...'Cover images uploaded should only be an image of the actual front cover...' to my mind tha..."
Yes, I'm really stating the cover image we should be seeking. For many books it will be a matter of making do with the best image available from an acceptable source but we do need to have an ideal in mind to judge which images are preferred.
