Diamond Bookshelf 32 The LGBTQ+ Issue | Page 7

7 . Poll Patrons

Never forget to meet the needs of your readership . Consulting the experts and embarking on your own research into which titles to carry is a necessary element of this program , but asking your patrons what they want is also crucial .
8 . Make Graphic Novels a Regular Part of Your Ordering Cycle
Once you ’ ve talked to your readers and assessed your circulation data to see how successful the addition of comic books and graphic novels has been , you ’ ll want to keep the ball rolling . An established graphic novel program in your library needs to be sustained , and making graphic novels a regular part of your ordering cycle will ensure the vibrancy of your collection . Including these titles in your regular decisions on what books to carry will help make them a significant and popular segment of your library .
REMEMBER : As with any collection development , there is a period of experimentation during which you will learn which titles will circulate and which will not . You cannot judge the effectiveness of a graphic novel collection with a handful of titles , any more than you would do so with a handful of DVDs or audiobooks . If there ’ s no room in your budget to make a large initial purchase , start small and evaluate regularly . Add titles as you can , polling your patrons , reading review sources , and keeping diversity in mind . As time goes on , you will find the right combination for your readership and community .
Soon , you ’ ll come to realize that comic books and graphic novels are an engaging and vibrant form of literature , and the promotional possibilities for your library are endless !

THREE CATEGORIES TO KEEP IN MIND :

1 . BESTSELLERS
Lists of bestselling graphic novels can be obtained each month from www . Diamond- BookShelf . com . Additionally , resources such as BookScan ( www . bookscan . com ) can provide similar information for the highest selling graphic novels in the book-store market .
2 . CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED TITLES
Graphic novels that have received stellar reviews and won literary awards are sure to generate interest in the medium , will attract new readers , and also make a great case for having a graphic novel collection . There are a number of literary publications that review graphic novels , including Publishers Weekly , Library Journal , School Library Journal , Booklist , VOYA and others . See pages 40-41 for a selection of recent reviews .
3 . MEDIA TIE-INS
Titles that tie in to hit movies , games , novels and TV shows are sure to appeal to fans of the same . Many manga titles are also TV cartoons , and many blockbuster movies are adapted from comic books . The BookShelf newsletter stays current with the latest media tie-ins and adaptations .
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