Don't Mind Me! I'll be in Graphics Doing Some Homework.
Evaluate a Library's Comics Collection
Choose a library and a specific subsection of the comics collection to assess.
Spend 20 minutes examining the physical collection and 5-10 minutes examining the catalog entries.
Create a report that includes a brief evaluative description of the collection's scope, currency, diversity, and indicators of use.
Consider the following factors: location, organization, signage, and displays.
The Library:
The Harvard Diggins Library (HDL) houses two graphic novel collections; one for junior readers and another in the teen space. There is not an adult graphic novel section. So, I took a shallow dive into the collection in the YA department, hoping to find some superhero comics!
The Comic Collection @ HDL:
Graphic novels, manga, and comics were all shelved together in the teen space using an A-Z organization style by author name. Apart from the signage at the top of the display and the 4 outfaced books, there was no further marketing for the comics collection or an implication anywhere else in the library pointing to the comics collection. The shelving pictured on the right of the display is not a continuation of the collection but the YA nonfiction display.
Oh, superheroes? Where did y'all go?!
The first item on the shelf was Thor: The Goddess of Thunder by Jason Aaron and Russell Dauterman. The call number for this title was listed as YA FIC AAR. Found one!
However, this can be problematic, especially for teen readers, for individuals who may not be familiar with the authors of their favorite comics but rather the characters and franchise.
Now off to find more superheroes!
Scope:
The collection is small; however, the scope of a library collection needs to reflect who it is serving. That said, the HDLs comics collection is representative of the smaller teen population in Harvard, IL (Total Population: 9,477). Additionally, HDL subscribes to Libby (OverDrive), which creates a virtual access point to a larger professionally curated digital collection that expands HDLs comics collection exponentially.
The collection mainly consisted of Manga, with popular graphic novel titles and barely any superhero comics.
After a brief catalog search, I discovered that HDL only owned 11 superhero comics.
Currency:
The comics collection at HDL noticeably made an effort to include current popular media within their collection efforts. The intended reader would immediately notice and gravitate to several of the manga available from hit anime shows. Some examples include Attack on Titan, Tokyo Gouhl, and Naruto; however, it is essential to note that these titles are older and act as a visible anchor to HDLs collection. Some examples of superhero comics on the shelves were Injustice: Gods Among Us (2013-2016), Hawkeye: My Life as a Weapon (2013), and Marvel's Civil War (2006-7).
Diversity:
This was an area of opportunity for the comic collection. This collection focuses on hit anime shows to attract readers and passersby. While manga includes all genres as an art form and literary medium, the physical presence of these manga series is particularly powerful and takes away from the other titles on the shelf. When I think of diversity in relation to a library collection, Professor Rudine Sims Bishop's words about windows, mirrors, and doors come to mind, and from that context, this collection could be more inclusive of the lives of others. Ms. Marvel was a gem in the collection and on loan at the time of my investigation.
Usage:
Some of the more popular titles were worn and tattered. For example, this copy of The Walking Dead has seen some wear and tear that is common for paperback circulation in public and school libraries. The paperbacks in the collection did not have any additional life-preserving covering added, such as hard laminate. The majority of the manga collection was intact and had minimal signs of damage. The concern here was whether or not the resources were seeing any movement in circulation.
Overall, HDL represents popular media and teen inclusivity well, but there is room for improvement regarding shelving and location for their comics collection.
One way to improve the comics section would be to move it to a more prominent location in the library. The comics section is located in a small corner of the library in the teen space, which makes it easy to miss. Moving the comics section to a more central location would make it more visible to library patrons and encourage more people to check out comics.
Currently, the comics are organized by author (A-Z), which can make it difficult for patrons to find specific titles. Reorganizing the shelves by genre, theme, or publishing house would make it easier for patrons to find the comics they are looking for.
Despite these minor criticisms, the comics section of this public library is a valuable resource for library patrons of all ages in the community. The library does an ok job of selecting a variety of titles.
Recommendations:
Add more graphic novels to the collection. Graphic novels are a great way to introduce people to comics who may not have read them before.
Offer more programming related to comics. This could include author visits, workshops, or discussion groups.
Partner with local comic book stores. This could help the library to get more new comics into its collection and to reach a wider audience.
I hope these suggestions are helpful to the wayward Tumblr librarian!
L'Chaim, Challa, & Comics!
