On the Hunt for Outstanding Photos? The Nebraskaland Photo Library is Here to Help! 📸
Putting together a presentation? Need to illustrate a grant proposal? Want an image to accompany a media interview? Looking for some wall decor? Have a special photo project? This message is for you!
The Nebraskaland Photo Library is home to hundreds of thousands of images showcasing Nebraska, its wildlife, parks, outdoor recreation opportunities, and more, taken by our professional, award-winning Nebraskaland photographers. Over 250,000 of those photos are in Merlin (our online photo library system) — all at no cost to NGPC staff for agency use!
Here’s how to get in!
Visit the photo library page on our main agency website and click on the orange button that says “View Photo Library.” This will take you to the login page. If you need login credentials, please contact me and I will get you set up with your own account. You can also log in with the following guest login:
UserID: guest
Password: guest
When you first log into Merlin, you’ll see a “Featured Content” window, which provides basic navigating instructions and also explains how to request photos. There’s also a more detailed user guide under Collections>User Guide.
Here’s a basic overview of how to put in a photo request using Merlin:
1. In the Collections panel, select the Private folder.
2. Click on the circle icon with a plus sign at the bottom left of the Collections panel.
3. Type a name for the Untitled Collection.
4. Search or browse for images.
5. Drag photo selections to the collection you created. (Make sure to drop all the photos into a single collection.)
6. Double click on the foursquare icon to the left of the collection to open it.
7. Highlight *all* images you wish to order using your mouse or the check mark icon at top left of the Merlin screen.
8. With *all* the images you wish to order selected, click the shopping cart icon.
9. Complete and submit the order form.
In the comments section of the order form, please be sure to describe: 1) How you will use the images, 2) any special requirements on image size/color space/file type/etc., and 3) your deadline for needing the photos. When you submit the form, it sends an email to me along with your photos. I’ll then get in touch with any questions and a download link to the photos.
Other things to know about our photo collection:
- Our photos are under copyright. As an NGPC employee, you can use our photos for agency use at no cost. If someone asks for photos to use outside of our agency, please direct them to me and I’ll assist them with securing permission, filling out appropriate paperwork, and any applicable fees or a fee waiver.
- I’m typically able to prep the photo files according to your specifications pretty quickly, same or next business day or sooner (often within the hour). Do let me know if you’re on a tight deadline, and I will rush your request. However, please understand if you have a large or complex order that it may take additional time to complete.
- There’s a separate set of guidelines for ordering wall prints – please just get in touch if you want to order prints and I will help you. Contact me for state purchasing instructions related to Shop Nebraskaland.
- We have many more photos than what is in our online collection. If you aren’t finding what you need, please reach out to me and I’ll be happy to assist you.
- Because of the amount of time it takes to manually transform each and every photo that is released, when possible, please request final selections for a project in lieu of a working pool, or please get in touch if you have a special need that requires a working pool.
- Useful resources and tools related to the NGPC photo collection, Nebraskaland Magazine, and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission are gathered here. This site includes the Nebraskaland Magazine Article Index, links to open source photo repositories, and more.
- Your friendly photo librarian is here to help! Please reach out with all photo-related needs. I’m available by phone, email, instant message, and am happy to assist you with all things photo. Let me know if you’d like to schedule an over-the-phone or virtual Merlin walkthrough/refresher.
Let me know if you have any questions about our agency photo collection, run into challenges using Merlin, or need anything else photo-related!
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Jackie
Jaclyn Cruikshank Vogt, PhD, MLIS (she/her/hers)
Photo Librarian
Nebraskaland Magazine
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
2200 North 33rd St | Lincoln NE 68503
P: 402.471.5466 | F: 402.471.1984
E: jaclyn.vogt@nebraska.gov
W: Nebraskaland Photo Library https://outdoornebraska.org/photolibrary
W: Nebraskaland Magazine Digital Archive https://nebraskaland.unl.edu/
