This week was my first time at the American Library Association National Conference. This year it was held in Chicago so clearly the place was crawling with GSLISers (graduate students at the best library school ever, UIUC). Monday by far was the best day as far as I’m concerned. Not only did I get a chance to meet and chat with a few authors, but I also was able to attend a panel on graphic novels.
Jenny Veile & Neil Gaiman discussing Coraline
At 8:10, I got in line to meet Neil Gaiman. Neil of course was very sweet and signed a poster for my mom and a copy of the fantastic children’s book, “The Graveyard Book,” for myself. I then went through the line again with my good friend Laura Rancani and she chatted him up about his favorite library.
Later in the day we met Jacqueline Woodson, who was nice enough to sign a copy of “Feathers” to me. I haven’t read it yet, so, look forward to a possible future review since I have enjoyed other novels by her. I also had a chance to catch part of a reading by Sherman Alexie, before jetting off to the panel on graphic novels.
Comix & Censorship was co-sponsored by IFC, AAP, & CBLDF; moderated by Charles Brownstein (Director of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund); and featured the great Neil Gaiman, Terry Moore, and Craig Thompson. Clearly with a line up like that I had to attend. Not surprising, it was amazing. I think it is fantastic that the Comic Legal Defense Fund exists and I hope you all support them. If I haven’t convinced you, maybe Neil can:
That said, I wonder if we will ever be able to get away from the term “comics.” Certainly some graphic novels are comedic, but most things we are talking about are not comics at all (not that ‘graphic’ is not problematic in another way). I know I’m not the first person to say this, but despite coming a very long way in the fight for legitimacy, I wonder if calling them comics is hurting us with the uneducated. When I hear comics I certainly don’t think of “Blankets.”
All said, it was wonderful and it is great to know that librarians outside of the walls of academia are understanding the need for continued dialog and discussion on graphic novels, comics, and how they can best fit in our collections. As stated at the panel, at least we can quickly thumb through them to see what is inside (unlike a book with only text or a movie).
It is a bit depressing that the panel consisted of all men. Despite some talk about this issue (women creating and the images of women in graphic novels), I hope next time will include all those fellows as well as a few ladies.
Long live comics! Long live the graphic novel!
