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

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

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.

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.

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.

Comic Book Collections and Programming will help librarians build a collection that’s right for their library, including specialty collections for kids, teens, and adults. It covers the practical realities of this non-traditional format, like binding, weeding, and budgeting. It also address advanced topics like comics and pedagogy, bringing comics artists and authors into the library, and using comics as a community outreach tool – even hosting comic conventions in libraries. The guide covers: Comics for kids, teens, and adults. Comics genres from superheroes to fantasy to Manga; from memoirs and biographies to science texts to Pulitzer Prize winning literature. Comics publishers and distributors. Comics history and influential contemporary creators. Online resources and communities. After reading the guide, librarians will be able to: Organize creator visits and events. Plan and produce community anthologies. Host drawing parties and comic discussion groups. Preserve comics in a library environment Develop, run, and grow a library-based comic convention. This is an essential reference for collections librarians, children’s librarians, and teen librarians, whether they are comics-lovers or have never read an issue. The guide is aimed at public, academic, and school libraries.

Here is an accessible book containing strategies to help librarians expand their popular culture collections in an organized manner. Many publications explain why libraries should collect popular culture materials; this one explains how. Packed full of useful information, Popular Culture and Acquisitions provides numerous practical approaches to collecting this ever-expanding, often unwieldy mass of information. It aids both beginning and experienced librarians as they sort through the vast array of materials available to them. Discussions ranging from what to collect and how to collect it to what to do with the material once it’s obtained give librarians solid information on how to establish cohesive popular culture collections. Chapters provide first-hand advice on: the importance of collection development policies problems of budgets, storage, and preservation working with donors methods of resource sharing what to collect, for whom, and for what purposes the struggle for legitimacy competition from collectors and fans locating obscure acquisitions or review sources Popular Culture and Acquisitions also includes chapters on how to acquire specific types of popular culture materials, such as children’s series books, comic books, mystery and detective fiction, popular recordings, romance novels, and tabloids. Librarians attempting to collect such materials systematically will find this book to be an invaluable guide for their efforts.