Most public libraries have as part of their mission the duty to collect popular materials for their patrons. All it takes is a quick walk through any chain bookstore to see that graphic novels are popular. If they weren't, stores wouldn't devote so much shelf space to them and teens wouldn't be sitting in the aisles reading the newest releases. With the increasing popularity of graphic novels, librarians have had to educate themselves on the format, its history, industry trends, publisher idiosyncrasies, binding quality, and more, to make sure we are collecting the right books. By including graphic novels in library collections, librarians are seeing an increase in traffic from teens and twenty-somethings who may have previously felt libraries were no longer relevant to their lives or their interests.
Libraries have always been places where people can test-drive something new. Graphic novels are attractive to readers who have grown up in an image-saturated world. & They can help connect reluctant readers to books, and even help good readers become better readers. & Add that all up and it's a no-brainer that librarians and libraries are great resources for comics and graphic novels. &
NOTE: The Eisner Awards are at 8:30pm Friday in Ballroom 20.
