Promoting YA and Graphic Novels
As an adult who LOVES graphic novels, I feel that we should not only maintain our collection, but focus on expanding it. There are so many wonderful works available at all levels. I’m also fairly certain that more adults check out our YA books than teens do. I haven’t been faced with any objections to promoting or retaining these materials, and I feel like our library does a pretty good job promoting them to adults - through book clubs!
In January 2019, one of our employees started a book club called “Vintage Youth”, which met monthly at the local Books and Brews restaurant. It was a small group, but had a devoted following. Last fall we hosted “ComiClub”, which was a short term (4 month) book club for adults held on Zoom. It, too, was well-attended, and covered a variety of subgenres.
Beyond what we have already done, I can envision a really fun strategy: a library con or book festival. Information sessions, activities, presentations from local authors (or virtual presentations from others). Such topics as the history of the genres, the structure of the narratives, and techniques for reading them can be included in sessions. Fan sessions would be great, too - costume contests, trivia, mini book clubs, and games. Screenings of related films and series would be beneficial for those who are new to the genres, giving them a taste for the types of stories they will encounter. I’ve been hoping to create a con since I started working in a library, but I didn’t have a focus for it. Focusing on a genre can help define the audience and purpose of the program.
Hi Amanda,
ReplyDeleteA library con is a really cool idea. It would be a great way to promote library offerings as well as to create a way for librarians to connect directly with the community. I love the costume contest idea! I know that some people would get really into that.
In March, our big display was “March Manga Madness” and we pulled from both the Adult and Young Adult collections. It went over surprisingly well I believe (one of my co-workers absolutely loves Manga and was constantly reshelving the display – more circulations equal more money spent on Manga books she can read!).
ReplyDeleteI also love your idea of a Bookcon or Library-con! How fun would it be to see which characters patrons would dress up as! Just a huge celebration surrounding everything the library has to offer (and who doesn’t love free treats and prizes). I hope you can create that vision one day. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for the comments! I sure hope to get to do this post covid!
ReplyDeleteWe do a library con every summer for teens and it's not massive but it's fairly well attended. Great ideas and book club themes. Full points!
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