Maximizing the Impact of Comics in Your Library: Graphic Novels, Manga, and More

by Jack Phoenix

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.

Genres: Professional Development, Librarianship, Comics, Nonfiction

270 pages, Paperback

Published March 6, 2020

About the author

A ravenous reader with a burning love for pop culture and balloon animals, Jack writes about comics, libraries, and comics in libraries. He is the recipient of two master's degrees, one in Library and Information Science from Kent State University and the other in English from Ohio Dominican University. He now works as a manager for a public library in Greater Cleveland, where he lives with his husband, two dogs, a cat, and pet rats.

Quick note: I review books personally and professionally and they are different. Goodreads is for my personal reviews and taste. Sometimes a book is great, but it's not for me. My professional reviews appear in the occasional LIBRARY JOURNAL and are more detailed and objective.

Reviews

[Jack Phoenix · Rating 5 out of 5]

I worked very hard on this book, so of course I'm giving it five stars. I hope that you fellow librarians out there find it helpful!

[Megan Reddin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource for Librarians looking to amp up their Graphic Novel/Comics collection.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A professional used to talk about comics in libraries that provides interviews and examples of librarians and libraries related to comics as well as asking questions and providing examples for how others use comics in their libraries.

It's a resource for sure to allow you to reflect on your own practice and ideas on graphic novels/manga/comics to change and adapt, stay the same, or improve your expertise.