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Week 13 Prompt: YA & Graph Novels

PROMPT: Though this week's group of "genres" all seem very different, they all have in common the fact that many people don't feel that they are legitimate literary choices and libraries shouldn't be spending money on them or promoting them to adults. The common belief is that adults still don't or shouldn't read that stuff. How can we as librarians, work to ensure that we are able to serve adults who enjoy YA literature or graphic novels? Or should we?

 RESPONSE: I am of the personal belief that as librarians we should not interfere with what people want to read. In any case, we should be glad that patrons want to read no matter what it is that they want to read. There are several things we can do as librarians to support adult readers who enjoy YA literature and/or graphic novels.

Location, location, location. One of the key aspects of supporting adult readers is the location of adult or, in this case, young adult and graphic novel titles. If graphic novels and YA titles are placed near adult fiction we are supporting our adult readers by giving these titles a place among the adult fiction. (*Bonus: Teens who read these titles get to feel older because they won't have to go to the children's section for their titles.)

If you program they will come... Another way librarians can support adult readers who are into YA titles and graphic novels is through programming. Some libraries are beginning to host graphic novel book clubs that are aimed at getting adults to talk about the graphic novels they are reading. Librarians can do similar programs with YA literature. Meet the author programs are another great way to support adult readers.

Overall it is up to the individual librarian as to how he/she will support these readers. We can help adult readers by having the books available they want and bringing in programming that supports their interests based on these books. We can also listen to our adult readers and maybe find some more "adult" titles that are like what appeals to them in the YA and graphic novel titles. Again as long as people are reading we should support that reading.

Comments

  1. Julie BApril 9, 2017 at 12:45 PM

    Hello Kamara! I really like your suggestions on encouraging adults to check out more YA, NA, and graphic novel items. At my library, the Teen section is on the same floor as the Adult sections, with the Children's section on the other floor. I think this encourages adults to explore our YA items more than they would if they were on the Children's floor of the library. I also like your program ideas. These sound like fun and a great way to get different patrons to start attending programs. Great job on your response!

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  2. AnonymousApril 9, 2017 at 6:37 PM

    Great response! I agree that integrating teen and adult fiction is a win-win. Adults don't have to feel weird, and the teens get to feel more independent! At my library's branch location, (since it's a very small library) we have the teen fiction just shelved in with adult as if they're the same category. The spine label is the only thing setting them apart. It helps to disguise YA for those adults who like both and may feel strange about it. It tends to be slightly difficult to help teens who want something for their reading level for school, but we prefer to use other resources first to find titles for them anyway rather than just walking to the shelf and picking from there.

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  3. Erin CataldiApril 10, 2017 at 7:26 AM

    Very thoughtful, insightful prompt response. I couldn't agree more! Full points!

    ReplyDelete

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