Hello Brittany,
I'm the teen services librarian at my library and the one in charge of the graphic novel collection development. Just so you know my credentials when I start answering questions, so it seems like I know what I'm talking about. :)
1. How large is your library?
Our collection as a whole has about 63,000 volumes. Our community is about 30,000. Our
branch is the only public branch library in the city of Burleson.
*To get a grasp on the size of the library, I compared the number of people in the community of Burelson to the number of people in the community of St. Marys, which has 13,400 people. So, as you can see, the Burelson Library serves a much larger community. I think the community and library sizes are important to look at because it shows that a smaller library may have more trouble "selling" graphic novels to young adults than a larger library that possibly serves a city.
branch is the only public branch library in the city of Burleson.
*To get a grasp on the size of the library, I compared the number of people in the community of Burelson to the number of people in the community of St. Marys, which has 13,400 people. So, as you can see, the Burelson Library serves a much larger community. I think the community and library sizes are important to look at because it shows that a smaller library may have more trouble "selling" graphic novels to young adults than a larger library that possibly serves a city.
2. How many graphic novels do you have in collection? How many of those are manga?
As of the end of September, we have 630 volumes in our graphic novel collection. Of these,
385 are Manga.
*I think it's important to see how many of the graphic novels are also considered manga, since that form of literature has become widely popular as well. For those who do not know, manga is a Japanese comic book that is widely known for its distinctive style. Manga is also targeted because of the somewhat sexually provocative pictures found in them. But, in spite of this, manga seems to be doing very well in libraries. Since it has picked up in popularity, I was curious to see how much manga makes up a library's graphic novel collection. Here, we can see it makes up slightly more than half of this library's collection, which shows the popularity of this form of literature.
385 are Manga.
*I think it's important to see how many of the graphic novels are also considered manga, since that form of literature has become widely popular as well. For those who do not know, manga is a Japanese comic book that is widely known for its distinctive style. Manga is also targeted because of the somewhat sexually provocative pictures found in them. But, in spite of this, manga seems to be doing very well in libraries. Since it has picked up in popularity, I was curious to see how much manga makes up a library's graphic novel collection. Here, we can see it makes up slightly more than half of this library's collection, which shows the popularity of this form of literature.
3. Do they circulate well among the YAs?
We don't keep statistics on who checks out what but I think it would be fair to say that the Graphic Novels circulate mostly among our YA patrons. We have a very active Teen Anime/Manga club which meets bi-monthly and usually numbers attendance in the 20s to 30s.
*Here, again, you can see the popularity of manga among young adults and teens.
*Here, again, you can see the popularity of manga among young adults and teens.
4. Do you receive any input from YAs concerning graphic novels?
Quite a bit throughout the week ("Oh! Matt! You need to get this!") but especially at the Anime/Manga club meetings and at the Teen Library council meetings, where I always ask for specific book suggestions.
*I'm glad to see that Matthew is seeking book suggestions from young adults, because they are the most important piece to the puzzle concerning graphic novels. If you don't have readers, then the items will be useless purchases. I also like the idea of the Teen Library Council to gather what the teens' needs will be. Addressing patrons' needs is, I feel, the most important thing a library can strive for.
*I'm glad to see that Matthew is seeking book suggestions from young adults, because they are the most important piece to the puzzle concerning graphic novels. If you don't have readers, then the items will be useless purchases. I also like the idea of the Teen Library Council to gather what the teens' needs will be. Addressing patrons' needs is, I feel, the most important thing a library can strive for.
5. Why do you think some libraries are reluctant to purchase graphic novels?
In my experience, it usually comes down to one of (if not a combination of) four reasons.
a. They aren't real books! - librarians (particularly older ones) who do not see the value of graphic novels and whom think graphic novel = poorly written kids fare.
b. They'll just get stolen - this argument is usually used by the above librarians who are confronted with Alan Moore, Neil Gaiman or any of the other intelligent and well-written graphic novels. This falling under the more general heading of Arguments Against Teen Programing/a YA collection - "all teenagers are thieves and crooks". (Don't laugh. I had a director who believed the only teenagers who came to the library were looking to jack something).
c. People might complain - most librarians aren't well versed about graphic novels but what little they do know is enough to make them nervous about having them on the shelf.
Between the lack of professional reviews (particularly ones with content warnings), a lack of a common ratings system, horribly inaccurate rating systems in the case of some companies (Only in Marvel Comics would a scene depicting Peter Parker having a drunken one night stand with his roommate be "all ages"), book vendors often not giving a rating/age-range on graphic novels and the divide between American and Japanese culture re, where you draw the line (comedic nudity, like open-at-the-back hospital gowns, is a common gag in some Japanese teen comics)... it is easy to see why some genre savvy librarians might elect to not bother with stocking graphic novels or manga at all rather than risk a book challenge and bad publicity, depending on their community.
d. Personal bias - there are some librarians who just flat out do not like graphic novels or certain authors and will do anything to keep them out of their libraries.
True Story: There was a director whom swore blindly there would be no more graphic novels in her libraries after a librarian who didn't know any better put Neil Gaiman's Sandman on display in the children's section. This edict was circumvented thanks to several librarians who blindly ordered anything on an ALA "Best of" list, which led to numerous copies of Deathnote winding up in the system after it was given an ALA Best Books for Teens award.
So the director said that there would be no MORE ordering of graphic novels and there would certainly not be the formation of special graphic novel sections, even though all their other fiction was bracketed up into Christian, Sci-Fi, Mystery, etc.
Well, nobody told any of the incoming librarians about this... which meant a whole lot more GNs were purchased for the above reasons regarding ALA lists and there being a lot of patron demand. Despite the director's edict, one enterprising librarian wound up establishing a Graphic novel section in the teen areas of both the libraries he was split between and it quickly proved to be one of the most popular areas of the library. This defiance wasn't discovered until said librarian wound up asking the director about her approval for a grant that would give them money for GN collection development.
After the flames died down, a new policy was given; the graphic novel sections could stay, but only items that were specifically rated ON THE COVER as being T for Teen could remain in that section. Everything else would be filed under 741.5 for non-fiction art collection.
Since most comics are not rated, you can guess what happened. The Graphic Novel sections quickly became "The Manga Section". And the Alan Moore, Garth Ennis and Warren Ellis books all found a new home... right next to the collections of Garfield, Charlie Brown and Calvin & Hobbes. And that is when this little librarian, who well knew the laws of irony, started looking for work elsewhere before the fireworks hit again...
Hmm.. that went much longer than I expected. better finish up.
*This is the section that I am more curious about. Why do some libraries embrace graphic novels while others do not? Why do some libraries' graphic novel collections sell like hotcakes while others not move from the shelf? I think Matthew has made many great points in this section. I think librarians, when considering purchasing graphic novels, really need to check out the reviews to avoid the "people complaining" thing. Also, the lack of ratings problem makes graphic novels difficult. Mangas are usually rated on the cover, so that makes purchasing and finding a location in the library easier for librarians. Now, as I look at my various graphic novels I have here, some of the American graphic novels do have a rating system that will say "Suggested for Mature Readers" on the cover. But, what I think it really boils down to, is the patrons actually looking at these ratings rather than just pick any old graphic novel off the shelf. I don't think a librarian should be responsible for a patron picking up a graphic novel that does not fit their tastes.
*This is the section that I am more curious about. Why do some libraries embrace graphic novels while others do not? Why do some libraries' graphic novel collections sell like hotcakes while others not move from the shelf? I think Matthew has made many great points in this section. I think librarians, when considering purchasing graphic novels, really need to check out the reviews to avoid the "people complaining" thing. Also, the lack of ratings problem makes graphic novels difficult. Mangas are usually rated on the cover, so that makes purchasing and finding a location in the library easier for librarians. Now, as I look at my various graphic novels I have here, some of the American graphic novels do have a rating system that will say "Suggested for Mature Readers" on the cover. But, what I think it really boils down to, is the patrons actually looking at these ratings rather than just pick any old graphic novel off the shelf. I don't think a librarian should be responsible for a patron picking up a graphic novel that does not fit their tastes.
6. Do you believe graphic novels are sincere forms of literature?
Yes.
*While pushing for more graphic novels to be found in libraries, I also want to work towards graphic novels being seen as real forms of literature.
*While pushing for more graphic novels to be found in libraries, I also want to work towards graphic novels being seen as real forms of literature.
7. Do the higher prices of graphic novels a major deciding factor when purchasing titles for your collection?
Not really. If it's something I really want and think will circulate well, the price won't be much of a consideration. We get a very generous discount through our vendor, so most of our GNs are 30%-50% off list price.
*For smaller libraries, purchasing graphic novels may be more difficult because of their prices. If a library has a small budget, then they may not be able to afford a pricier graphic novels. But, as always, circulation and demand are always key factors when purchasing items for the collection.
*For smaller libraries, purchasing graphic novels may be more difficult because of their prices. If a library has a small budget, then they may not be able to afford a pricier graphic novels. But, as always, circulation and demand are always key factors when purchasing items for the collection.
8. Where are your graphic novels located? Are they in the general collection or in a spot of their own?
They have a spot of their own in the back-corner of our library, next to the private Teen Room, where our after school teen hang-out is.
*I was curious as to where libraries are locating their graphic novels. I wanted to see if they circulate better if they're in their own collection, or area, or if they should be included in the general selection. Every library has a different way of organizing their books, and it's what works best for them. As I'm finding out, most libraries do this with their graphic novel collections.
*I was curious as to where libraries are locating their graphic novels. I wanted to see if they circulate better if they're in their own collection, or area, or if they should be included in the general selection. Every library has a different way of organizing their books, and it's what works best for them. As I'm finding out, most libraries do this with their graphic novel collections.
9. Are there any graphic novel titles are are currently very popular among YAs?
I think it would be faster to list the titles that DON'T check out, to be honest. :) According to our records, the first few volumes of Fruits Basket are the ones which have circulated the most. Other high circ series include Dragonball Z, Yu Yu Hakusho, Naruto, Rave Master, Hiraku No Go and Vampire Game. Among American comics, the Green Lantern books by Geoff Johns and the Gail Simone written Wonder Woman HC editions are probably the "hot" items.
Morrison, Matthew. "Re: [GNLIB-L] Seeking help for a young adult literature class." Email to Brittany Makufka. 22 Oct. 2009.
*I was surprised so many of the popular titles among young adults were manga titles. I knew they were popular, but I didn't know they were this popular. I hope to read the first volumes of a few of these popular titles, among others that I chose to read, and review them for this blog.
Morrison, Matthew. "Re: [GNLIB-L] Seeking help for a young adult literature class." Email to Brittany Makufka. 22 Oct. 2009.
*I was surprised so many of the popular titles among young adults were manga titles. I knew they were popular, but I didn't know they were this popular. I hope to read the first volumes of a few of these popular titles, among others that I chose to read, and review them for this blog.
