Comics for Adults Pose a Challenge for Libraries

Associated Press

GREENSBORO -- Libraries are feeling some growing pains because of the increasing popularity of comic books.

Sherrie Antonowicz , collection development manager for the Greensboro Public Library, said the graphic novel medium has matured in the past decade and gotten more attention with that maturity.

But the thing that makes graphic novels, or long-form comic books, unique from their library counterparts might be the very thing that gets them in trouble, Antonowicz said.

"It's the same thing as when libraries started stocking videos. People seem to be more sensitive to a visual representation versus the written word."

Earlier this month, the Jessamine County Public Library in Kentucky fired two library employees after they refused to check out a graphic novel to an 11-year-old, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader .

The graphic novel, "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: The Black Dossier," contains sexually explicit images. Sharon Cook, one of the fired employees, checked the book out herself to keep it out of circulation.

Greensboro libraries do not have a copy of "The Black Dossier," despite having two earlier volumes in the series.

Antonowicz said the library did not buy "The Black Dossier" because it was labeled adult fiction in the publishing review material used for selecting new books.

The Greensboro libraries have several other books in the series and other titles by author Alan Moore , some of which contain sexual situations.

Antonowicz said that like any material the library stocks, graphic novels are purchased based on literary reviews and patron demand.

Nearly all graphic novels are labeled YA or young adult; those that are not, are shelved in the general book stacks. The young adult books are shelved outside of the children's section of the library and intended for 15- to 19-year-olds.

Parents can place restrictions on their child's library card that would prevent them from checking out some material, but not young adult books like the graphic novels. Antonowicz said the library might need to review that policy in the near future.

Library patrons 15 years old or older are given adult library cards and allowed to check out anything in the library.

"It's still up to the parent to watch what the child is reading," Antonowicz said.

Patrons can file a formal complaint about material they find objectionable. The library will review the material and decide if it should be reclassified -- moved from young adult to adult, for example -- or removed from the library .

In the past 10 years , there have been four formal complaints about books. None of the books were removed from the library.

The High Point Public Library does not have a copy of "The Black Dossier." The library restricts only the borrowing of R-rated movies by patrons younger than 17 years old. There are no other age restrictions.

Kem Ellis, director of the High Point Library, said graphic novels are popular among teens and adults, but they are housed on the library's third floor near the adult fiction and teen fiction sections.

"We would not prevent a child from using any area of the collection," Ellis said.

Libby Oxenfeld , district media specialist with Guilford County Schools, said graphic novels are like any other book in a school library's collection.

The librarian must carefully select each one and review the material to make sure it is age appropriate.

But Oxenfeld said school librarians are thankful for the growing popularity of graphic novels.

"A lot of students are drawn to graphic novels, and at lot of schools, (they) get kids reading," she said.

None of the Guilford County schools have a copy of "The Black Dossier," according to Oxenfeld.

The school district also has policies for selecting books and a formal complaint policy.

Contact J. Brian Ewing at 373-7351 or brian.ewing@news-record.com

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