Comics/Graphic Novels Collection

Submitted by joshua.caudill on Fri, 07/08/2016 - 16:34

Type of Pilot Project:

Public Service

Describe Project and Impact:

By improving our collection of graphic novels and incorporating comic books into the collection, we can expand our market penetration significantly.

Project Description and Expected Outcomes:

I will preface with this: perhaps this is not as much of a need as I seem to believe it is; some libraries might have more prominent collections of graphic novels than I realize. If that's the case, sorry! MLS circulates a small number of graphic novels, but these are not often cataloged distinctly from other portions of our collections. This project would include a number of steps: 1) Increase the number of graphic novels in our collection. 2) Create a specific collection in our libraries for graphic novels; this would include the addition of a code in Carl-X for this collection 3) Include a collection of comic books in this section. Due to the fragile nature of comic books, they could be treated like our paperback collections which do not typically circulate between locations. By featuring comics and graphic novels in a special collection, we can expect a number of noteworthy outcomes: 1) Increased market penetration of those who are already fans of graphic novels and comics. 2) Increased member retention--graphic novels have been shown to be a gateway to greater adult literacy. 3) Provide access to comic books to teen members--comic books can be pricey for their relative brevity, but access via library circulation can be a more financially responsible alternative. 4) Opportunities to partner with comic book stores in Oklahoma County for programs and events.

Why should we select this project?:

This project gives us an opportunity to expand our collection in a new, creative way.

Constraints, Limitations, or Dependencies:

-Fragility of comic books; items may become damaged quickly. -Interest level in graphic novel/comic collection may be less than anticipated.

Source of Inspiration:

http://www.secretstacks.com/

http://www.academia.edu/8404455/A_Survey_of_Graphic_Novel_Collection_and...

Partner/Supporting Departments:

Materials Selection

Outreach

Performance Indicators:

Market Penetration

Member Retention

Environment:

Library

Experience:

Collection Anywhere

Estimated Costs

Personnel:

Commodities:

Contractual (Professional Services):

Capital (Construction/Renovations):

$10,000

Total:

$10,000.00

Comments

Fri, 07/08/2016 - 17:33

kcook

MOAR COMICS!

I agree that our comics selection could be larger. Maybe a digital comics collection might be a good way to avoid how quickly comic books fall apart. Hoopla provides an online comics collection for libraries that is very impressive (they also do e-books, e-audiobooks, music, and online movies); there is another digital comics provider for libraries called Comics Plus, but I haven't seen what comics they offer.

Fri, 07/08/2016 - 17:38

(Reply to #2) #3

joshua.caudill

I think a digital comics

I think a digital comics collection could be a great idea. I'm not sure I realized that was a feature included in Hoopla, but that could be a great option for us, especially if we could find a way to integrate it with OverDrive somehow (I imagine one of the biggest reasons we'd avoid something like Hoopla is to avoid overcomplicating the eBook options).

Sun, 07/10/2016 - 13:52

(Reply to #2) #4

tim.spindle

re: moar

Have either of you checked out our comic & graphic novels from <a href="http://metrolibrary.lib.overdrive.com/BANGSearch.dll?Type=SubjectList&ID=24363&PerPage=24&SortBy=CollDate" target=_blank>OverDrive</a>?

Mon, 07/11/2016 - 09:02

(Reply to #4) #5

kcook

Huzzah!

No, I hadn't seen most of those. Are they pretty new (I semi-regularly search for terms like "Batman" and last time I did that only a Junie B. Jones book and one non-fiction title popped)? That's awesome! Let's keep building--most of the comics were checked out :(

Mon, 07/11/2016 - 09:32

(Reply to #5) #6

tim.spindle

I believe most of these

I believe most of these titles were added to the collection in the middle of May.

Mon, 07/11/2016 - 10:15

(Reply to #7) #7

joshua.caudill

I had not seen these,

I had not seen these, actually! It's not a very large collection, but it's fairly diverse for its size. Thanks for sharing!

Mon, 07/11/2016 - 09:23

caralen.haymans

Excelsior!

I am super passionate about comic books and graphic novels. I have been suggesting graphic novels/comics for purchase like mad since I started working here, so I absolutely love this idea! I would really like a way for the system to get the titles without our members (both external and internal) having to submit them individually through the Suggest a Title feature - like what the system does for upcoming releases such as James Patterson's and others.

Mon, 07/11/2016 - 09:53

kassy.nicholson

Yes!

I have been campaigning for this at my location (NW) almost since I started here a year ago. I think it's super important for our graphic novels/manga/comics to be shelved in their own section and easily searchable in the catalog because 1) these materials are of special interest and importance to reluctant readers, people with learning disabilities, and English language learners, and 2) the people who need these materials most are also the ones who are going to get most frustrated and give up if they are not easy to find. I did a lot of research on this topic, and the literature supports it, as well as anecdotal evidence, such as my own father, who says he would have never learned to read if it weren't for comic books.

Mon, 07/11/2016 - 10:07

#10

heather.zeoli

Comics and Literacy

In a former life I knew an educator who was working on a graphic novel that had a vocabulary of maybe 20 words... she wanted to make a series to help those with reading challenges engage with words and reading. I mention this because I think if we expanded the collection there might be a way to created curriculum around reading for those who aren't already into comics or to present graphic novels and comics to a new audience (not just about superheroes, for example). Just pitching in my support!

Tue, 07/12/2016 - 19:49

#11

tina.winkle

Love it!

I think this is a great idea because these type of books seem to be our most asked for by young adult/adult readers.

Thu, 07/21/2016 - 11:56

#12

david.newyear

(No subject)

Thu, 07/28/2016 - 15:07

#13

vicki.thompson

(No subject)

Fri, 07/29/2016 - 13:54

#14

kdelaney

(No subject)

Mon, 08/01/2016 - 13:31

#15

heather.zeoli

(No subject)

Mon, 08/01/2016 - 14:37

#16

afischer

(No subject)

Mon, 08/01/2016 - 17:06

#17

ben.mead-harvey

(No subject)

Tue, 08/02/2016 - 12:15

#18

ckennedy

(No subject)

Tue, 08/02/2016 - 16:08

#19

llovely

(No subject)

Wed, 08/03/2016 - 09:34

#20

drobertus

(No subject)

Wed, 08/03/2016 - 17:39

#21

jbrooks

(No subject)

Thu, 08/04/2016 - 09:12

#22

jballou

(No subject)

Thu, 08/04/2016 - 11:43

#23

christopher.stofel

(No subject)

Thu, 08/04/2016 - 17:09

#24

asuhrstedt

(No subject)

Fri, 08/05/2016 - 13:32

#25

rachel.kopchick

(No subject)

Sat, 08/06/2016 - 14:58

#26

mattalla

(No subject)

Sat, 08/06/2016 - 20:48

#27

jessica.gonzalez

(No subject)

Sun, 08/07/2016 - 14:08

#28

ebedford

(No subject)

Mon, 08/08/2016 - 08:47

#29

tpodzemny

(No subject)

Mon, 08/08/2016 - 08:53

#30

ashley.welke

(No subject)

Mon, 08/08/2016 - 15:56

#31

meg.hunt

(No subject)

Search form

Comics/Graphic Novels Collection

Comments