my bookshelf

Menu:

What are
Graphic Novels?

There are numerous definitions for the term graphic novel. Creators, publishers, readers or collectors of graphic novels, may define them differently.

For my research I am using the definition of U.S. librarian Steve Raiteri.

Graphic novels are trade paperback or hardcover books consisting of work in comic-book form.

Graphic novels may be book-length stories, collections of stories and works of non-fiction. This does not include collections of comic strips such as Garfield or Peanuts.

Graphic novels are a format and thus include many different genres.

These are the questions I asked during interviews with librarians

Questions

Thank you for agreeing to be interviewed.

  1. What do you think of the graphic novel format?
  2. How did your graphic novel collection come about?
    • Did you start it? Why?
  3. Do you think graphic novels encourage reluctant readers to read?
    • Do you believe reading graphic novels leads to reading other materials?
  4. Do you find that people who use graphic novels in your library use only that collection or also borrow other materials? If so what else?
  5. What do you think are the main reasons in support of having graphic novels in your library?
  6. How are your graphic novels used?
    • What age groups are they aimed at?
    • What age groups actually use them?
    • Used in the library or borrowed?
  7. Have you considered shelving your graphic novels face out?
    • What do you think of this?
  8. A U.S. librarian, Francisca Goldsmith, has noted the assumption that because graphic novels are picture-based they must be for children or teenagers. This has led to some libraries shelving all graphic novels in one location, often YA. This can lead to:
    "(1) the collection containing material that is inappropriate for its intended users, and
    (2) the library failing to collect from the vast array of graphic novels that are not appropriate to the designated age group" (Goldsmith, 2005, p.59)
    • Have you considered this?
    • Do you find this with your collection?
    • How do you deal with this issue?
  9. What problems have you encountered in working with graphic novels and how significant do you think these problems are?
    • Theft/vandalism?
    • Is it more than with other formats?
  10. Much US literature discusses "challenges" to graphic novels (Miller, 2005, p.59). Do you find that graphic novels receive more complaints than other materials?
  11. Have you had any complaints about a graphic novel in your collection? How did you deal with this?
    • Do you have a collection development policy which includes graphic novels.
    • Do you actively try to select materials which will lessen complaints? e.g. not acquire graphic novels that depict sex, violence.
    • Discuss the nudity in Ranma 1/2.
  12. How have you promoted your graphic novels?
Thank you for your time.