Carolyn -
Graphic novels look like "comic books." That makes it easy to put all of them in the same category, which at first blush tends to be children/juvenile. This genre is just like fiction - some written for young children and some written for (sometimes very) adult audiences. Treat graphic novels the same way you would fiction, taking into account the intended audience, interest level and content, plus your collection development policies. Many graphic novels will include an intended age range somewhere on the cover. That is a good go-by. Because of the range of subject matter and audience I recommend shelving adult manga in the adult section, YA in the YA section and children's in the children's section. Should graphic novels have their own separate sections next to fiction? I think so, even if the sections are small. Furthermore, I'd shelve YA graphic novels as far away as I could from juvenile fiction, just as you would any YA collection. (No teenager wants to have to walk by "Frog and Toad" to find the latest Gordon Korman title). Conversely you may not want your (very) YA manga/graphic novels next to "Little House on the Prairie." I've collected a few websites that may be helpful to you at http://delicious.com/suzannyfeler/Graphic_Novels. For info on graphic novel issues, check out Problematic Content in Anime and Manga <http://www.koyagi.com/problematic.html> and Special considerations for librarians <http://www.koyagi.com/Libguide.html#anchor118912#anchor118912> at "The Librarian's Guide to Anime and Manga" at http://www.koyagi.com/Libguide.html#anchor118912. You may also find useful the graphic novel collection development policy of the Campbell County Public Library at http://www.ccpls.org/coldev/html/WBL/xvi-gn.html. Your policy may differ but I like their entire collection policy's thoroughness and organization. Again, a good go-by. I just finished reading "The Manga Bible <http://www.amazon.com/Manga-Bible-Genesis-Revelation/dp/0385524315/ref= pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228920031&sr=8-1> " by Siku and really enjoyed it. My teenage son discovered it in the (very small but growing) adult graphic novel section of our local branch library. Finally, CTLS has a useful book entitled, "Graphic Novels Now: Building, Managing, and Marketing a Dynamic Collection" by Francisca Goldsmith (025.2774 GOL). Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] if you like to borrow it. Suzan Nyfeler Youth Services Specialist Central Texas Library System, Inc. 1005 West 41st, Suite 100 Austin, Texas 78756 512-583-0704 x 17 800-262-4431 x 17 [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.CTLS.net ________________________________ From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Carolyn Manning Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2008 2:48 PM To: CTLS list Subject: [ctls-l] collection question Do your libraries contain Graphic Novels and Manga in your collection? We have these in our young adult section and have recently had a complaint them. They are extremely popular with our tweens, teens, and adult males, but some patrons find them offensive. I am interested in hearing what you have to say about these types of books. Carolyn T. Manning Library Director Wimberley Village Library [EMAIL PROTECTED]
