Engaging readers, expanding readership…
If you asked about the value of reading comic books, a first impression might be that they wouldn’t count as ‘real reading’, or at least they might be thought of as ‘simplified reading'. Librarian of the Year (2017) Lucas Maxwell labelled this as “The Lie”. He believes there is a negative stereotype surrounding comics and it’s important we break this. Comic books can often be overlooked as a key way to encourage reading in reluctant readers and expand the horizons of confident readers.
Filmmaker Darren Aronofsky said, "Comic books and graphic novels are a great medium. It’s incredibly underused."
We know how important it is that libraries offer children and adults much more variety than just standard books. With that in mind, here are 3 key reasons why every library should shelve and promote comic books!
1) They encourage reluctant readers to get started
Picking up a book can sometimes be quite daunting. Especially for a reluctant reader, a book with lots of pages will be a big deterrent. A comic book might be the perfect starting point for people who feel this way. Moreover, many comics are based on popular TV shows and movies, which means the reader is picking up the comic with a sense of familiarity from the get-go!
2) They give struggling readers confidence
Comics usually offer short, easy-to-read sentences alongside engaging visuals to help with context and imagination.
For example, people with dyslexia, who may find it frustrating to finish a page of a regular book, often find comic books easier to read and then gain a sense of accomplishment when they complete a page, which encourages further reading.
3) There are many genres to suit all tastes
When people think of comic books, most will think of superheroes. However, comics come in all genres, including comedy, drama, sci-fi, fantasy, and many more! There are comics to accommodate all tastes, ages, and reading levels!
Here are some of the best-selling comics to kick start your collection!
Gresswell recognises the value of comics and graphic novels in libraries, and how best to build and promote a collection that increases literacy and engages readers of all ages.
By working with librarians and the library sector, we have learned:
- The multi-literacy superpowers of comics
- Innovative ways to shelve and promote comics in your library
- How to build community engagement with your graphic novel collection
Embrace interest in these popular materials and invest in both mobile and static furniture to encourage browsing and borrowing. We suggest…
Everna™ Discovery
Accessible, affordable, design...
With a choice of colour, shape, and size, you can arrange your reading space as you wish; the only limit is your imagination...
