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Graphic Novels Beyond the Basics: Insights and Issues for Libraries by Martha Cornog β€” book cover

Graphic Novels Beyond the Basics: Insights and Issues for Libraries

by Martha Cornog (Editor), Timothy Perper
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Overview

What does the surge of popularity in graphic novels mean for libraries? Graphic Novels Beyond the Basics: 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 Beyond the Basics begins by introducing librarians to the world of the graphic novel: popular and critically acclaimed fiction and nonfiction titles; a wide range of genres including Japanese manga and other international favorites; recurring story and character archetypes; and titles created for specific 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, preservation and retention, collecting related media such as Japanese anime films and video games, potential grounds for patron or parental complaints, the future of graphic novels, and more.

Synopsis

This study of the graphic novel and its growth in the library helps librarians utilize and develop this extraordinarily popular format in their library collections.

VOYA

This collection of essays is geared toward the librarian who already knows that graphic novels are a critical part of a library collection. Practical concepts covered include issues with selection and acquisitions, cataloging and processing, and housing the materials, as well as information about censorship and dealing with related problems in a library, which supplements the historical and sociological context in the book. Title lists are featured throughout to aid in the development of collections and displays. Programming suggestions are offered as well. Contributors to this book include librarians, scholars, and publishers, giving the reader a well-rounded perspective from trustworthy sources. The tone is encouraging and empowering, and the information and advice is practical. This title would be an asset to any public library professional collection. Content is useful to library media specialists, academic librarians, and teachers and should be considered by those teaching in library science and media programs at the graduate level. It will serve as a reference resource to those developing a core collection, planning programs around graphic novels, academic libraries considering adding or expanding a graphic novel collection, and those writing policies or dealing with challenges of the format. Reviewer: Molly Krichten

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Editorials

School Library Journal

This highly informative volume brings in experts in various subfields to discuss topics such as superheroes; manga and anime; girls and comics; American and international comics; public, school, and academic libraries; and censorship. The chapters are self-contained, and many of them have extensive references. Despite these assets, the volume is not without flaws. To begin with, because different writers worked on different chapters, certain elements are discussed over and over again, making a straight-through reading highly repetitive, e.g., the term "manga" is defined several times throughout, authors are introduced repeatedly, etc. The first chapter makes several statements with which comic-book fans might take issue. To name just a few: Namor is listed as a magic/myth character because he hails from Atlantis but he is also a mutant, Spider-Man's black-and-white costume is said to have "white webbing" when it is actually black with a white spider motif, and the Mutant Massacre story line did not take place in 1996. There are also some broader comments of a dubious nature, such as the statement that Louis Riel is "Canada's founding father." The index is inconsistent. At times, the book lacks organization, e.g., there are two sections labeled Appendix A. While there is much to enjoy and inform in this volume, it is unfortunately hindered by correctable errors.β€”Douglas P. Davey, Halton Hills Public Library, Ontario, Canada

School Library Journal

This highly informative volume brings in experts in various subfields to discuss topics such as superheroes; manga and anime; girls and comics; American and international comics; public, school, and academic libraries; and censorship. The chapters are self-contained, and many of them have extensive references. Despite these assets, the volume is not without flaws. To begin with, because different writers worked on different chapters, certain elements are discussed over and over again, making a straight-through reading highly repetitive, e.g., the term "manga" is defined several times throughout, authors are introduced repeatedly, etc. The first chapter makes several statements with which comic-book fans might take issue. To name just a few: Namor is listed as a magic/myth character because he hails from Atlantis but he is also a mutant, Spider-Man's black-and-white costume is said to have "white webbing" when it is actually black with a white spider motif, and the Mutant Massacre story line did not take place in 1996. There are also some broader comments of a dubious nature, such as the statement that Louis Riel is "Canada's founding father." The index is inconsistent. At times, the book lacks organization, e.g., there are two sections labeled Appendix A. While there is much to enjoy and inform in this volume, it is unfortunately hindered by correctable errors.β€”Douglas P. Davey, Halton Hills Public Library, Ontario, Canada

VOYA - Molly Krichten

This collection of essays is geared toward the librarian who already knows that graphic novels are a critical part of a library collection. Practical concepts covered include issues with selection and acquisitions, cataloging and processing, and housing the materials, as well as information about censorship and dealing with related problems in a library, which supplements the historical and sociological context in the book. Title lists are featured throughout to aid in the development of collections and displays. Programming suggestions are offered as well. Contributors to this book include librarians, scholars, and publishers, giving the reader a well-rounded perspective from trustworthy sources. The tone is encouraging and empowering, and the information and advice is practical. This title would be an asset to any public library professional collection. Content is useful to library media specialists, academic librarians, and teachers and should be considered by those teaching in library science and media programs at the graduate level. It will serve as a reference resource to those developing a core collection, planning programs around graphic novels, academic libraries considering adding or expanding a graphic novel collection, and those writing policies or dealing with challenges of the format. Reviewer: Molly Krichten

Book Details

Published
August 1, 2009
Publisher
Libraries Unlimited
Pages
281
Format
Paperback
ISBN
9781591584780

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