Lewis & Clark Library Awarded Grant for Graphically Yours Project
January 8, 2015 (Helena, MT)—During the American Library Association (ALA) summer conference in Las Vegas, ALA and the Will and Ann Eisner Family Foundation presented the 2014 Will Eisner Graphic Novel Innovation Grant to the Lewis & Clark Library, for their project "Graphically Yours." Lewis & Clark Library Teen Services Librarian Heather Dickerson and Information Desk Assistant Eric Walliman collaborated on the grant application and are excited about how receiving the grant will impact the Lewis & Clark Library. “Graphically Yours” includes the development of the graphic novel collection and a month-long slate of special graphic novel and comic programs to engage patrons.
Receiving the grant is a huge honor for the Library explains Walliman, “our collection is relatively small but experiences major use; receiving this grant will allow us to expand our collection and offer an even broader selection of graphic novels to our patrons.” Walliman goes on to explain that while the genre is popular with young adults, it has wide spread appeal to multiple audiences, “text books are using the format to address different learning styles; there are studies that indicate that the use of graphic novels for ESL students increases the student’s success with learning the language; and it isn’t a coincidence that the most popular movies are based off of comic books, it’s a format that appeals to all readers and all learners.”
According to Dickerson, the goal of “Graphically Yours” is to celebrate the genre of graphic novels, comics, and manga and encourage a complex form of reading. The grant will allow the two to expand the Lewis & Clark Library’s collection to address demand. “Our graphic novel collection is very popular. One of the special things about this grant is that it includes the whole Will Eisner catalog and this year’s nominees for the Eisner Awards, which identify the best work in the format,” explains Dickerson. “We’re really excited to add more breadth and depth to the collection.”
In addition to buying more materials, the grant also includes funds for programming. Dickerson and Walliman are excited to develop and offer programming for patrons based on the graphic and comic format. “Patrons can look forward to a month of graphic novel related programming, including a ‘Series to Screen’ book discussion where participants will read and discuss the comic book and compare/contrast with the movie,” explains Dickerson.
Dickerson and Walliman are also working on special programs designed to illustrate why graphic novels are so popular and educational. “Tweens and teens who read graphic novels, comics, and manga generally read at least one grade level higher. They also navigate the complex relationship between images and print that is fundamental to the development of digital literacy skills,” explains Dickerson. “It’s pretty exciting to be able to chart new territory at our library, this is a new programming format for us and I think that patrons will enjoy the new offerings,” explains Walliman.
The Lewis & Clark Library was one of two grant recipients of the more than 75 applications received by the ALA. The 2014 Will Eisner Graphic Novel Growth Grant was presented to Ypsilanti District Library, Ypsilanti, Mich. Their project "Graphic Novels in Healthcare: An Opportunity for Growth" expands their medical graphic novel collection and offers programs where healthcare professionals and careers learn how graphic novels and comics can help with patient treatment and recovery.
Each of the grants awards the winning libraries with a $2,000 voucher to purchase graphic novels from the distributor-partner—Brodart, $1,000 to host a graphic novel-themed event, and a $1,000 stipend to attend the 2014 ALA Annual Conference in Las Vegas. Additionally the winners will receive the Will Eisner Library (a graphic novel collection of Will Eisner’s work and biographies about acclaimed writer and artist) and copies of the graphic novels nominated for this year’s Will Eisner Awards at San Diego Comic-Con.
Graphically Yours Programs, January 2015
Series to Screen Movie Nights | Scott Pilgrim VS The World, 7 PM
You guessed it! First we talk about it, then we’ll watch it! January 9, 7 pm, Large Meeting Room.
Series to Screen Discussion Groups | V for Vendetta
Join us for an informal chat about some very popular comic book/graphic novel series that made it to the silver screen. Teens and adults welcome! January 14, 7 pm. Large Meeting Room.
Series to Screen Movie Nights | V for Vendetta
You guessed it! First we talk about it, then we’ll watch it! January 16, 7 pm. Large Meeting Room. Note: this movie is rated R. Any teens under 17 wishing to attend will need a signed permission slip from their parent or guardian.
Series to Screen Discussion Groups | X-Men: Days of Future Past
Join us for an informal chat about some very popular comic book/graphic novel series that made it to the silver screen. Teens and adults welcome! January 21; 7 pm. Large Meeting Room.
Series to Screen Early Release Day: Avatar, the Last Airbender
Kids in grades 4-8 can join us to eat great snacks and watch Avatar, the Last Airbender. January 22, 1 pm. Large Meeting Room.
Series to Screen Movie Nights | X-Men: Days of Future Past
You guessed it! First we talk about it, then we’ll watch it! January 23; 7 pm. Large Meeting Room.
Superhero Training Academy
Kids in grades K-5 can test their super powers at this super party! Prizes, games, crafts, and snacks. January 24, 1-3 pm. Large Meeting Room.
Create-a-Comic Art Contest!
Create your own original one page comic panel. Entries accepted at Lewis & Clark Library from January 2-24. Prizes for kids, teens, and adult age groups. Submissions must be accompanied by an entry form, available at the information desk.
Superhero Scorecard
This program incentivizes reading by offering a prize for successfully reading four comic books or graphic novels and turning in a scorecard. Folks of all ages can complete a “scorecard” by:
• Reading four trades, graphic novels, or manga titles.
• Writing down each title and answering a short question.
• Include name and contact information to be entered into our grand prize drawing.
• Choose a small prize!
The Superhero Scorecard program will run the duration of our Graphically Yours programming. It begins January 2 and ends January 31. We want to encourage everyone to read graphic novels and comic books, so the program is open to all ages. We have plenty of reader’s advisory materials to suggest age appropriate comic and graphic novel titles for children in grades K-8 and have a lovely display of superhero picture books for toddlers and pre-schoolers.
Heroes & Villains Tournament
Our Heroes & Villains Tournament is a fun, self directed program that folks can do in person or online. The goal is to determine the ultimate comic book hero and villain in five rounds of voting, beginning December 31. Participation is easy: folks circle the winner of each match up and return the form to the ballot box on the purple wall (or drop it at the info desk), or fill out the ballot online via the Library’s Facebook page.
The voting schedule:
Round 1: December 31 – January 5
Round 2: January 6 – January 12
Quarter Finals: January 13 – January 19
Semi Finals: January 20 – January 26
Finals: January 27 – January 31