Graphic Novels Beyond the Basics: Insights and Issues for Libraries

by Martha Cornog (Editor), Timothy Perper (Editor)

What does the surge of popularity in graphic novels mean for libraries? Graphic Novels: Insights and Issues for Libraries goes deeper into this subject than any other volume previously published, bringing together a distinguished panel of experts to examine questions librarians may encounter as they work to enhance their graphic novel holdings.

Graphic Novels begins by introducing librarians to the world of the graphic novel: popular and critically acclaimed fiction and nonfiction titles; the wide range of genres including Japanese manga and other international favorites; recurring story and character archetypes; and titles created for different cultural audiences and female readers. The book then offers a series of chapters on key issues librarians will face with graphic novels on the shelves, including processing and retention questions, specific issues for academic libraries, collecting related media such as Japanese anime films and video games, potential grounds for patron or parental complaints, and more.

One of the few bright spots in 21st century print publishing, graphic novels have moved from their stereotypical fanboy niche to the bestseller list, profoundly influencing movies, television, games, music, design, and fashion on the way. The phenomenon has reached the classroom as well, with graphic novels integrated into the curriculum and course materials produced in their vivid style and narrative format.

Features the insights of 10 experts, over half of whom have written books on the topic they cover here.

Offers chapters on topics not addressed in any other volume on graphic novels in the library,including graphic novels in academic libraries; Japanese animation; titles for girls/women; and international graphic novels.

Includes coverage of graphic novels in four rapidly growing areas: African American interest, Latino interest, gay/lesbian interest, and novels with religious themes

Provides original data on censorship of graphic novels and an extensive discussion on preventing and dealing with censorship attempts.

10 expert contributors well known in the library field, each a specialist in a specific aspect of the graphic novel

A brief chronology of the graphic novel and its inclusion in the library

Core lists of recommended graphic novel titles in most chapters

A creator and title index of key graphic novels as well as a subject index for the book itself

Chapter bibliographies and additional bibliographic appendices pointing the way to additional print and multimedia resources

Genres: Nonfiction

325 pages, Paperback

First published August 30, 2009

Reviews

[Brittany Benson · Rating 1 out of 5]

A book on graphic novels completely made up of text. Strike one.

The attitude and tone of the introduction is that of "Graphic novels and comics are only cool now because we say that they are. If you thought they were cool before now, you were wrong." Strike two.

There is a whole chapter on how girls didn't like comics until manga became more mainstream and there was more romance/ slice of life stories available. Since I grew up loving comics about superheroes, adventures and action, this became strike three.

Read it for a class, will not be reading again.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction, though it's a bit outdated.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though definitely out of date 8 years later, this book still offers some useful insights into the comics/graphic novel world as it relates to libraries. About 1/3 of the online resources referenced are defunct or no longer updated, but the others provided useful additions to our library's Research Guide on comics, including plenty I hadn't discovered during my own research.

[Samra · Rating 4 out of 5]

very informative to a future librarian or current about how graohic novels can be used