Comics And Critical Librarianship

"Highlights the use and focus of comics by librarians and library workers who practice critical librarianship"--

Scott (librarian, Michigan State U. Libraries) covers comics librarianship as a specialty, acquisitions, storage and preservation, cataloging, and "being the expert," and describes how and why a world- class comics collection has grown over the past 20 years at Michigan State. A glossary, a directory of special collections, and a list of research topics are also included. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

This book offers a timely mix of thought-provoking chapters bringing together national and global studies on critical librarianship, and conveying the kind of research which current library managers and researchers need, mixing theory with a good dose of pragmatism.

To say that graphic novels, comics, and other forms of sequential art have become a major part of popular culture and academia would be a vast understatement. Now an established component of library and archive collections across the globe, graphic novels are proving to be one of the last kinds of print publications actually gaining in popularity. Full of practical advice and innovative ideas for librarians, educators, and archivists, this book provides a wide-reaching look at how graphic novels and comics can be used to their full advantage in educational settings. Topics include the historically tenuous relationship between comics and librarians; the aesthetic value of sequential art; the use of graphic novels in library outreach services; collection evaluations for both American and Canadian libraries; cataloging tips and tricks; and the swiftly growing realm of webcomics.

"A collection of articles about various ways of applying critical pedagogy and related educational theories to library instruction"--Provided by publisher.

This book will help librarians extend literary graphic novel collections to attract a large, untapped group of comic book readers with a sure-to-be-popular comic book collection. Do comic books belong in libraries? Absolutely—as Comic Book Collections for Libraries makes very clear. This illustrated guide defines the role of comic books in the modern library, provides a thorough grounding in the subject for beginners, and suggests new ideas for those already familiar with these perennial reader favorites. The book begins by introducing the structure of the comic book, industry players, and genres. The bulk of the guide, however, is comprised of actionable advice on such things as creating and maintaining the collection, cataloging for effective access, and promoting the collection, including how to feature comics with other library materials, such as movies and games. Drawing on the authors' experience, the volume answers numerous other questions as well. How can you tell which titles are age-appropriate for your library? Which titles are popular? How do you include characters that will appeal to diverse reader groups? Complete with checklists and a rich array of examples, this easy-to-use work can make every librarian a superhero.

In 1992, Maus, a graphic novel by Art Spiegelman, won the Pulitzer Prize. The genre has been growing ever since, appealing to the visual-oriented Gen-X and Gen-Y, as well as to reluctant readers, those of all ages seeking alternative viewpoints, and anyone willing to take both image and word into consideration. Graphic Novels Now helps librarians new to the genre with all the key issues related to these unique books. Expert author Francisca Goldsmith shares smart advice, from how to develop a well-rounded collection by finding reviews and reliable publishers and distributors to shelving, catal.

This unique guide offers fresh insights on how graphic novels and comics differ from traditional books and require different treatment in the library—from purchasing, shelving, and cataloging to readers' advisory services, programs, and curriculum. Challenging librarians to rethink some of their traditional practices, Maximizing the Impact of Comics in Your Library provides creative and proven solutions for libraries of all types that want to get comics into the hands of fans and promote readership. The author describes how libraries would benefit from an in-house classification system and organization that accounts for both publishers and series. In addition, acquiring comics can often be tricky due to renumbering of series, reboots, shifting creative teams, and more—this book shows you how to work around those obstacles. Shelving and displays that reflect comic readers' browsing habits, creative programs that boost circulation of comics and graphic novels, and how comics can play a vital role in educational institutions are also covered.