"The format of the comic book presents "The format of the comic book presents a montage of both words and images, a montage of both words and images,

and the reader is thus required to and the reader is thus required to exercise both visual and verbal exercise both visual and verbal

interpretive skills. The regimens of art interpretive skills. The regimens of art (e.g. perspective, symmetry, brush (e.g. perspective, symmetry, brush

stroke) and the regimens of literature stroke) and the regimens of literature (e.g. grammar, plot, syntax) become (e.g. grammar, plot, syntax) become superimposed upon each other. The superimposed upon each other. The

reading of the comic book is an act of reading of the comic book is an act of both aesthetic perception and both aesthetic perception and

intellectual pursuit."intellectual pursuit." Will Eisner 1985, Will Eisner 1985, Comics & Sequential ArtComics & Sequential Art

Librarians and Reading Librarians and Reading

Can you Can you guess to guess to what what question question these these students are students are raising their raising their hands?hands?

How many of How many of you you do notdo not like to like to read?read?

What do we do to promote What do we do to promote reading?reading?

Students tell Media Specialists all Students tell Media Specialists all the time that they don’t like to the time that they don’t like to

read. I tell them they are just not read. I tell them they are just not reading what they like. Isn’t it time reading what they like. Isn’t it time

we gave them something they we gave them something they really like!really like!

Who will be the new Heroes of Who will be the new Heroes of reading Promotion?reading Promotion?

The same The same heroes we have heroes we have known since we known since we were childrenwere children..

"The presence of "The presence of comics in a junior high comics in a junior high school library resulted school library resulted in a dramatic 82% in a dramatic 82% increase in library increase in library traffic and a 30% traffic and a 30% increase in circulation increase in circulation of non-comic books."of non-comic books."

Dorrell & CarrollDorrell & CarrollSchool Library JournalSchool Library Journal

Why are Graphic NovelsWhy are Graphic Novels such a great reading promoter such a great reading promoter

Broaden & strengthen Broaden & strengthen library collections.library collections.

Attract new readers Attract new readers and students of all and students of all ages and skill levels.ages and skill levels.

Help educators reach Help educators reach one of the most one of the most challenging student challenging student demographics: young demographics: young adult males.adult males.

Graphic Novels are especially good Graphic Novels are especially good for attracting reluctant readers for attracting reluctant readers

because:because:

They are powerful They are powerful motivational tools that motivational tools that can capture and maintain can capture and maintain the reader’s interest.the reader’s interest.

Their illustrations provide Their illustrations provide contextual clues to the contextual clues to the written text, making them written text, making them ideal for remedial reading ideal for remedial reading programs.programs.

They can give reluctant They can give reluctant readers the non-readers the non-threatening practice and threatening practice and experience needed to experience needed to inspire confidence and inspire confidence and progress to more progress to more challenging text.challenging text.

Stats tell the storyStats tell the storyGraphic novels comprise less the 1% of the collection

Graphic novels can account forapproximately 25-60% of circulation

1

2

1

2

AND NOW THE AND NOW THE CONCERNSCONCERNS

1. Parents and community members will object to 1. Parents and community members will object to GN & Comics in the Library.GN & Comics in the Library.

2. GN’s are junk literature, unsuitable for Libraries.2. GN’s are junk literature, unsuitable for Libraries. 3. GN’s portray violence, sexism, anti-social 3. GN’s portray violence, sexism, anti-social

behavior, and other inappropriate themes.behavior, and other inappropriate themes. 4. GN’s depict women in an unrealistic way.4. GN’s depict women in an unrealistic way.

#1 Objections from Parents#1 Objections from Parents Mostly this fear is Mostly this fear is

unfounded. In fact unfounded. In fact the opposite is true. the opposite is true. Most parents often Most parents often express delight and express delight and enthusiasm when enthusiasm when they learn of the they learn of the collection. As long collection. As long as the collection is as the collection is appropriate to the appropriate to the age level.age level.

#2 Graphic Novels are #2 Graphic Novels are unsuitable for libraries.unsuitable for libraries.

Many GN’s represent serious works worthy of Many GN’s represent serious works worthy of serious attention. Some have won Pulitzer prizes. For serious attention. Some have won Pulitzer prizes. For every ten books like every ten books like “The murder Family“The murder Family”, ”, publishers manage to produce at least one publishers manage to produce at least one outstanding title like outstanding title like “Mause: A Survivor’s Tale.” “Mause: A Survivor’s Tale.” GN’s are an art form and an important aspect of pop GN’s are an art form and an important aspect of pop culture. Traditionally, libraries have preserved all culture. Traditionally, libraries have preserved all types of literature. No defensible reasons can be types of literature. No defensible reasons can be given to exclude GNs and comic books from this given to exclude GNs and comic books from this mission.mission.

#3 They portray #3 They portray inappropriate inappropriate

messages or themes.messages or themes.

The majority of GN’s, especially traditional super-hero The majority of GN’s, especially traditional super-hero ones, give ones, give positive messagespositive messages, such as good vs. evil and , such as good vs. evil and using ones powers to help others. Spiderman and Wonder using ones powers to help others. Spiderman and Wonder Woman are positive role models for boys and girls. Gloria Woman are positive role models for boys and girls. Gloria Steinem has written about the impact Wonder Woman had Steinem has written about the impact Wonder Woman had on her and other young girls. Some of today’s GN’s do on her and other young girls. Some of today’s GN’s do have questionable material. As with any collection have questionable material. As with any collection building effort, librarians need to determine what is building effort, librarians need to determine what is appropriate for their patrons.appropriate for their patrons.

#4 Depiction of women#4 Depiction of women In the past the target audience for In the past the target audience for

comics have been teenage and comics have been teenage and college age boys. As a result college age boys. As a result GN’s can portray women in a GN’s can portray women in a unrealistic light, but so does unrealistic light, but so does sports illustrated. Even Supergirl sports illustrated. Even Supergirl and Wonder Women wear and Wonder Women wear skimpy costumes. Two sub-skimpy costumes. Two sub-genres that are popular are the genres that are popular are the bad-girl and babe comics. bad-girl and babe comics. Happily, an increasing number of Happily, an increasing number of current GN’s portray women in a current GN’s portray women in a more realistic way. Also, several more realistic way. Also, several ongoing titles provide wonderful ongoing titles provide wonderful heroic role models for younger heroic role models for younger girls. If it is any consolation, few girls. If it is any consolation, few men look like Conan. This is men look like Conan. This is escapism.escapism.

Selection TipsSelection Tips Avoid surprises, try to preview as many GN’s as you Avoid surprises, try to preview as many GN’s as you

can or read reviews before putting them on the shelf.can or read reviews before putting them on the shelf. Be wary of publishers with reputations for Be wary of publishers with reputations for

controversial materials(e.g., DC’s Vertigo).controversial materials(e.g., DC’s Vertigo). Learn which authors write for which audience.Learn which authors write for which audience. Visit web sites and get to know the industry.Visit web sites and get to know the industry. Let your vendor know what you want.Let your vendor know what you want. Include a statement in your collection development Include a statement in your collection development

policy addressing GN’s.policy addressing GN’s. Be prepare to respond to censorship challenges, should Be prepare to respond to censorship challenges, should

they arise.they arise.

GN’s Are Not just for GN’s Are Not just for Reluctant ReadersReluctant Readers

GN’s also hold great appeal for gifted students. Several GN’s also hold great appeal for gifted students. Several studies show that fantasy and science fiction are the studies show that fantasy and science fiction are the favorite genres of recreational reading for gifted students. favorite genres of recreational reading for gifted students. These students are captivated by the believable details of These students are captivated by the believable details of well-crafted imaginary worlds.well-crafted imaginary worlds.

Most Pre-teens and teens have tried their hand at writing Most Pre-teens and teens have tried their hand at writing or drawing their own comics.or drawing their own comics.

Many well known writers, directors,actors and illustrators Many well known writers, directors,actors and illustrators admit to being GN and comic book fans.admit to being GN and comic book fans.

Japanese Manga Japanese Manga & Anime& Anime

A new influx of A new influx of Japanese GN’s are Japanese GN’s are very popular.very popular.

These Gn’s also These Gn’s also range in age range in age appropriateness and appropriateness and need to be selected need to be selected carefullycarefully. .

Something for EveryoneSomething for Everyone

If you choose to If you choose to start a GN start a GN collection, help is collection, help is out there, and out there, and they or I may or they or I may or may not be may not be wearing a red wearing a red cape.cape.

Who will be the new Heroes of Who will be the new Heroes of reading promotion?reading promotion?

YOUYOU

For More helpFor More help

Contact Contact

Will HeckmanWill Heckman

Librarian Librarian

at Boynton Beach at Boynton Beach H.SH.S