Here’s a guest post from Molly Phelan, Library Information Supervisor at Brooklyn Public Library, Cypress Hills Branch.
More public libraries have been adding manga and graphic novels to their collections, and in return those libraries have seen a boost in circulation rates. Every year, New York Comic Con welcomes librarians with programming geared just for them. Professionals register for free, which means librarians and educators can spend the first day of the Con attending workshops, seeing what’s new in the publishing world, picking up free loot on the floor for their library patrons, and gawking at the costumed fans. Unless, of course, you are one of those costumed fans 
I’ve seen teens I know from my branch at these conventions and they were pretty excited to see their librarians appreciating what they love.
This years New York City Comic Con (February 6-8) is full of great programming for both librarians and their patrons. Topics patrons might enjoy include “How to be a Comic Artist”, “The Business of Webcomics”, and workshops from publishers like Dark Horse, Marvel, Jessica Abel and Matt Madden. There is also a full weekend of programming for and by librarians. Highlights include a panel about teen girls and manga with Robin Brenner, author of Understanding Manga and Anime and host of the graphic novel review site noflyingtights; a panel featuring librarians from Brooklyn Public Library and Queens Library on manga collection development (David Inabnitt and Christian Zabriskie); and a presentation on the role of manga in young adult literature titled, Are You There God? It’s Me, Manga by Lisa Goldstein and myself. Here’s the entire program schedule, and here’s a link to find conventions near you.
After attending a convention a couple years ago, a few of us discussed planning our own versions of a Comic Con at our libraries. Maybe after this weekend I’ll be inspired by that idea again? Could it work to have our own library Comic Con, and what shape would that take?
There are 9 Comments to "Librarians at New York Comic Con"
i wish i could attend your and lisa’s presentation!
Wish I were going this year! Good luck on your presentation!
Stephanie Brueckel
[...] PLA Blog » Blog Archive » Librarians at New York Comic Con [...]
“After attending a convention a couple years ago, a few of us discussed planning our own versions of a Comic Con at our libraries. Maybe after this weekend I’ll be inspired by that idea again? Could it work to have our own library Comic Con, and what shape would that take?”
–Just wanted to let you know, I am the intern of a women’s center library, and we will be putting on a convention in early April. It’s called “Getting Graphic: What It Means to be Visual”. We will be discussing portrayals of gender and sexuality in comics, and we will have guests that include local comic artists, zine writers, publishers, editors, and comic scholars/professors. We are also hosting a comic/zine art contest, where all submissions will be bound and added to the library’s zine and comic collections.
We’re still in the planning process, but if you’d like to learn more, please email me at or check the WRRC’s website for updates!
~Kate
Just wanted to link to a really nice bit of press from the “Are You There God? It’s Me, Manga” presentation by Lisa Goldstein and Molly Phelan.
Check it out
[...] various lucky ducks attending the New York Comic Con (such as Elizabeth Bird, Sophie Brookover, and Molly Phelan) or a school librarian blogging about the huge popularity of graphic novels, it’s clear that this [...]
[...] various lucky ducks attending the New York Comic Con (such as Elizabeth Bird, Sophie Brookover, and Molly Phelan) or a school librarian blogging about the huge popularity of graphic novels, it’s clear that this [...]
I am always amazed at the great art these comics have, which explains in part their great popularity. The downside is I’m concerned that they’re popular because so many just don’t read anything substantial anymore. Everything must be a quick, easy read in these folks minds. I enjoy both books and comics and I hope the comics will influence readers to branch out.
my fiance would love this! he’s a big fan of comics. We have an entire closet dedicated to his love of super heroes.