Frequently Asked Questions:

answered with panáche

Will parents and community members object to comics in the library?

To an overwhelming degree, library literature indicates this fear is unfounded. School and public librarians who initiate a comic book collection are pleasantly surprised by the absence of negative feedback from parents, teachers, administrators, or board members.
In fact, the complete opposite is true. Parents and community members often express delight and enthusiasm when they learn about the comic book collection.

Comic book collections in libraries can (and do) generate favorable publicity for the library. Librarians with comic book collections notice that word-of-mouth about the new service brings new patrons to the library.

A comic book collection can serve as a focal point for young-adult programming, including guest speakers, discussion groups, and swap meets.

It should be noted that librarians must exercise care in selecting comic books and graphic novels which are age-appropriate and suitable for their user community, and they must be prepared to address any censorship challenges which might arise.

Are comic books junk literature and unsuitable for the library?

As with most aspects of popular culture, the vast majority of comic books represent "light entertainment" at best and "junk reading" at worst. The junk is fairly easy to identify and avoid. More important, there is nothing inherently wrong with light entertainment of good-to-reasonable quality. If librarians objected to this on principle, they wouldn't be purchasing certain serials or similar escapist fare for children and teens.

Many comic books and graphic novels represent serious works worthy of serious attention. Librarians can provide a wonderful service to their young patrons by pointing readers to the best material the comic book industry offers.

Kids like comic books. This is, without question, the most compelling reason for libraries to purchase them. Studies have found that almost any type of reading helps develop language and comprehension skill. Since comic books can be an important tool to encourage reading for many children, they have been shown to improve reading skills.

Comic books represent a uniquely American art form and an important aspect of popular culture. Traditionally, libraries have collected, disseminated, and preserved all types of literature. No defensible reasons suggest why comic books should be excluded from this mission.

Do comic books portray violence, sexism, anti-social behavior, and other inappropriate messages or themes?

The majority of currently published comic books, especially traditional superhero comics, portray positive messages, such as using one's abilities to help others, the value of perseverance, and striving to be the best one can be. Many of the best-known comic book characters have become cultural icons that have provided positive role models for boys and girls alike.

A librarian must know their user community. When building a comic book collection, or any other collection, they must recognize who will be accessing these materials. Many of today's comic books do present questionable material, including raw language, extreme violence, sexual activity, the objectification of women, and flagrant disrespect for authority, to name a few. Selection, not censorship, is a key to a good collection.

Are comic books are too fragile a medium? Will they hold up to the rigors of library use?

Very frequently, comic books come in multi-issue trade paperback form. Both trade paper-backs and graphic novels are as strong as any high-quality paperback books. Conveniently, those comics that due come in these forms often represent the best comic book stories.

Modern comic books utilize high-grade paper, inks, and printing methods. The days of newsprint comics are largely gone.

As with any library medium, intuitive preservation techniques can greatly enhance the life of a comic. Shelf-life of library comics can be extended through the use of plastic magazine covers or similar preservation methods.

Libraries can treat their comic books as a current browsing collection, retaining recent years only, as with other popular periodicals. Back issues may be contained in Trade paperback form.

Given their relatively low subscription prices, the cost-per-circulation ratio for comic books is extremely favorable for libraries.

Won't comic books be stolen from the library?

By slightly defacing each comic book, libraries effectively eliminate the value of the item as a collectible object. This can be accomplished by stamping the Library's name on the margin or inside cover, by punching a small hole in each cover, or similar means which do not obscure the story and art.

Experience indicates that most libraries with comic book collections actually realize a net increase in holdings, despite any potential losses from theft and damage. How? By encouraging patrons to donate unwanted comics from home.