"So, whadja get?" Students at my school love graphic novels...and were anxiously awaiting my return to see the new books I brought back from the AASL Reno conference. They were not disappointed to hear that I had a "good haul".
Of course, I also learned that we need to re-think our cataloging of graphic novels, and that there are many new types of graphic novels, and that the ratings are somewhat new and that......so, just get the books on the shelves!!!
Seriously, I feel like the hero arriving home, laden with booty. Yes, I did purchase a number of hot-off-the-press reference books and managed to get galley copies of novels, but it's the graphic novels that generate the excitement.
When I attended the H.W.Wilson breakfast, I learned that there is now a "core collection" of graphic novels. What that signals to me, loud and clear, is that graphic novels are not a passing phenomenon and that we need to go about our collection development purposefully rather than by chance.
Knowing that my personal experience in graphic novels is lacking, I sought out help in the vendor hall. I was able to make an excellent connection with John Shableski of Diamond Comics http://bookshelf.diamondcomics.com Their "magalog" is a combination magazine and catalog that is an excellent resource. Besides articles and testimonials, the magalog offers lists of recommended titles. (The website offers detailed descriptions, cover pics and groupings by genre and age groups.) I will be signing up for their e-newsletter on their website.
Graphic novels are here to stay, and the phenomenon is far more than the "manga" books. At the Diamond Comics booth, I was able to flip through the new Stephen King graphic novel -- full color and beautifully laid out. Many of the "classics" are available in graphic format and the appeal to the reluctant reader is unmistakable. At another graphic novel vendor's booth, I made what I considered to be an amazing discovery: a book with words, paragraph form. The vendor explained that some of the manga books have been published in prose format and have the same characters and series themes. Who knew?
At the AASL Reno conference, I know that I went to the frontier of graphic novels and have glimpsed the future. Now, to get my knowledge, cataloging practices and collection development up to speed.....and, get those books on the shelf, NOW!
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