Guidelines for Authors-Visual Resources

Anyone having images, animations, video clips, or other materials depicting the microbial world which can be used for teaching undergraduate microbiology should consider submitting them for inclusion in the MicrobeLibrary.  Materials are received on a continual basis.  Reviews are conducted three times each year in March, July, and November. 

Submission Instructions

Online Submission Form

Visual submissions are accepted online.  If you are unable to access the online submissions, either mail a hardcopy and electronic copy on disk to ASM's Education Department or email the submission as an attachment. 

Email to: MicrobeLibrary@asmusa.org Write "Visual Submission" in subject line.  Mail to: American Society for Microbiology, Education Department, Curriculum Resources, 1752 N Street,  N.W., Washington, DC 20036-2904

Call for Materials
Examples of the types of materials sought for the Library include:

• Scanning electron micrographs and electron micrographs of microbial structure (e.g., bacteria, virus, parasites, and fungi).
• Stained microscopic images of microorganisms in culture media or from human or animal specimens, environmental samples, and industrial wastes.
• Phase contrast, darkfield, or Nomarski micrographs of wet mounts of microbes.
• Macroscopic images of microbial colonies on culture media or from natural samples.
• Time-lapsed photography of microbial interactions or in situ sites.
• Videotapes depicting any aspect of the microbial world from basic structures and movement to microorganisms in the environment or at sewage treatment and bioremediation sites.
• Videotapes of field work, including disease outbreaks.
• Animations of microbial processes.
• Web- or computer-based educational materials.

ASM's Ten Most Wanted List identifies the content gaps that the MicrobeLibrary Steering Committee has deemed the ten most critically needed themes, microbial processes, methods, or images.  

Format Requirements
Authors must submit visual resources for the MicrobeLibrary with a legend that describes the submission, where and how it was acquired, and how it can be used in education.

Acceptable formats are listed below. Audiocassette tapes and audio files without visual materials are not acceptable.  Materials will not be returned.

• Still Images: Original unlabeled image and labeled copy of original image in JPG, GIF, or TIFF format.

• Animations: GIF, Macromedia Director, or Shockwave are acceptable.  Java and AVI files are not acceptable at this time.  Please limit files to no more than 30-second clippings.

• Videos: QuickTime, GIF, Macromedia Director or Shockwave are acceptable.  Java and AVI files are not acceptable at this time.  Please limit files to no more than 30-second clippings.

Review Criteria
To view examples of high quality images with legends already in the MicrobeLibrary, click on the links below and then click on "accept" on the authorization page to continue on to the images.

Legionella pneumophila
Adult Chickenpox
Sporothrix schenkii
Histoplasma capsulatum
Enterococcus faecalis in Blood Culture
Giardia lamblia Trophozoite

All submitted items are peer reviewed and selected for scientific accuracy, instructional value, and visual quality.  Legends are important for faculty when deciding how the resource is to be used in their courses.  Therefore, both the image and its corresponding legend are required for a submission to be complete.

As of the March 2001 Review Session, only submissions that meet all of the following five criteria will be considered for the MicrobeLibrary: 

• Scientific accuracy and completeness.
  Does the title accurately reflect the submission?  Is the information scientifically accurate? Have the microorganisms been identified on the submission sheet?
• Quality, clarity, and appeal.
  Does the submission meet the visual standards of the collection? Are the microorganisms easily detected in the submission?  Can this image and its underlying concept be described in terms familiar to a layperson?
• Instructional value.
  Does the submission help one to understand or know better the microorganisms/microbial concept/microbial technique?  Is this submission and its underlying concept described in terms familiar to a faculty member?  Is there an annotated version of the submission?  Is the annotated version accurate and clear?
• Adherence to core themes.
  Does this image fit within a core theme of the collection? --microbial genetics, microbial cell biology, microorganisms in the environment, microbial evolution/diversity, and microorganisms and humans.
• Scientific accuracy and completeness of the legend.   
  Have the microorganisms been identified in the legend?  Does the legend describe how the image was collected or obtained?  Does the legend describe how the submission can be linked to a core theme in microbiology?  Does the legend describe the image and events presented?  Are the interlinking facts that lead to the final microbial concept or technique scientifically accurate?   NOTE:   Authors of animations and video submissions should consider the legend a "voice over" describing the series of events presented and intended learning concept.

The following PDF document is the grading rubric that Microbe Library Reviewers use to review a visual image for the Microbe Library.

ASM Visual Image Grading Rubric (PDF)

Copyright Information

Copyright Agreement for Visual Submissions (PDF)

Materials submitted must be original works or copyright free.  Contributors must be willing to grant ASM the nonexclusive right and licenses to reproduce, copy, and publish the images in any and all media. Copyright of the materials will remain with the author and ASM agrees to give authors appropriate credit in all ASM reproductions, copies, and publications of the materials.

Materials and resources for MicrobeLibrary come mostly from two extensive resources of ASM, its members and publications; however, items from sources such as other scientists and educators, journalists, artists and illustrators are always welcome.

New Materials. The majority of materials included in MicrobeLibrary are new and have not been published previously in ASM publications. ASM members are encouraged to peruse their private collections of teaching and learning resources. Individuals submitting materials for MicrobeLibrary must attest that the materials are original and that they hold/own the copyright. ASM requires prospective authors to grant ASM the non-exclusive world rights and license to reproduce and/or distribute materials included in MicrobeLibrary. This arrangement permits authors to retain the copyright to the materials so that they may republish or otherwise use these materials.

Materials from ASM News. Another important source of materials is ASM News. The original photographs are not consistently available from the ASM News editor. Individuals who have published previously in ASM News are asked to submit a:

• duplicate image of excellent quality, not a photocopy.

• copy of published ASM News article.

• submission form.

• copyright agreement form for the MicrobeLibrary, if necessary. (Not required for items to which ASM holds/owns copyright.)

ASM will cite the appropriate issue for all materials previously published in ASM News.