Forum - View topicRejection of a graphic novel grant..
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Malroth
Posts: 24 |
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OK, admittedly a bit of a rant here....
I just heard from my boss (I'm an assistant librarian at a public library) that we did not get our grant that we requested from the state for our Graphic Novel section. Now don't get me wrong, I would be disappointed about this anyway..and between this and a couple other grants that we requested and they turned down, it's pretty blatantly obvious that it's just politics and lack of cash on the state level. I can understand this. However, what's got me ticked off is the excuse that they gave for not giving us the grant. Graphic Novels imply "dirty" books. Nevermind that the header on the request for grant was titled "Graphic Novels - Comic Books Turned Novels" Nevermind that one of the themes that the ALA used last year was "Get Graphic! Graphic Novels!" Nevermind how much Comics, Anime, and Manga have grown, and continue to grow. They refused us the grant because we'd be promoting "dirty" books. Feh. Yeah, like the covers of half the romance novel section isn't "dirty" Last edited by Malroth on Wed Dec 03, 2003 5:40 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Nagisa
Moderator
 Posts: 6128 Location: Atlanta-ish, Jawjuh |
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Tch, not just the covers. Some of that nonsense is so raunchy I couldn't even begin to go into detail here without being punished... Anyway, that is pretty pathetic on the state's part. Hurt the library because of your narrow-mindedness...uh-huh...right... |
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littlegreenwolf
 Posts: 4796 Location: Seattle, WA |
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 Oh man, I remember when I was in middle school all the girls used to look up the naughty parts in those books.
On the graphic novel grant: that sucks. But give them time I guess. Eventually they'll see that graphic novels can promote reading, and that not every graphic novel is "dirty". Maybe you can somehow convince them in the future by explaining the merit of graphic novels, and listing off respectable libraries that have graphic novel sections. |
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Aaron White
Old Regular
Posts: 1365 Location: Birmingham, Alabama |
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Now wait a minute, what did the rejection actually say? I'm confident that they didn't just say "Them funnybooks is pornographical!"
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Malroth
Posts: 24 |
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OK, let me clairify.
I am low man on the totem pole..I did not see the rejection letter. However, my boss is not one to exaggerate or anything. From what has been said, they turned down the grant on the basis that the term "Graphic Novel" implied inappropriate material for a library, ie. "dirty". From what I understand, they did not say that manga and comic books don't belong in the library..just that they did not approve of the terminology. Again, nothing was said to the effect of graphic novels do not belong in libraries. Also, as I said, it's pretty obvious that they were just looking for an excuse to not give the grant, and that was about all that they could grab on to. I just think it would have been better if they had just said "We don't have the money to give..the budget is tight right now." |
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Hellomojo
 Posts: 225 Location: Orlando, Fl. |
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If you ask me I think a secretary gave it the lookover and got the impression it was a GRAPHIC, as in dirty or taboo, novel instead of a comix book.
What you have here is a hasty generalization and a false analogy. Just because something is called a graphic novel doesn't mean it is a  GRAPHIC novel...
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lianncoop
Past ANN Contributor
 Posts: 1705 Location: Indiana |
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I also work at a library and I can understand your frustration. Luckily our library board/director has been very positive about our graphic novel collection. He's even increasing the budget for it for 2004 (since we ran out this year
 ). Graphic novels are still a fairly new collection in many libraries and is fairly new territory. Were you planning on splitting the collection up? We have a graphic novel collection, YA Graphic collection, and even a JIF Graphic collection. Have you tried looking at libraries in your region and seeing how their graphic novel collection is? Perhaps if you try for the grant again, you can put in specific libraries and show how well their collection is circulating. I know, for our fiction printed materials stats, graphic novels are one of our highest circulating collections. That is a shame that even with the ALA theme, that your director didn't see a graphics collection as a positive addition. I mean, I'm sure your director has read Batman, Spiderman, or something as a child.
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molloaggie
 Posts: 578 Location: Texas |
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I've heard of some anime clubs that have done fundraisers for their public libraries. Maybe you should contact the clubs and tell them about the situation. They might be inclined to help.
Also, there's no harm in contact the publishers (Viz, TokyoPop, ComicsOne) and asking for donations to your library. And like lianncoop mentioned, funding doesn't come just from the state. I'm sure the your library would have liked the grant but doesn't your library allocate other money to the purchase of graphic novels also? Are you in a situation where your not getting any new graphic novels for the next year? |
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Malroth
Posts: 24 |
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We are the graphic novel section in our area.
Basicly what we have now is our graphic novel section is pretty much allocated to targeting ages 11-15/16. Because of the rural/conservative nature of the area, it can be a bit rough in the selections that we have to make. (for example, we had to pull our copy of Mysterious Play, because of Miaka taking a bath, and there was *gasp* nudity. Volume 6 - Summoner, for those interested) However it's not been all bad..somehow I've managed to slip in some good titles along with the Dragonball Z and Sailor Moon...Nausicaa Perfect Collection, Earth/Universe X, etc. Even got the head librarian to go out on a limb and get Megatokyo 
We have budget set aside for next year to add to the section..that's not the issue. However, since we just started it last year, there's not a whole lot there yet, and the grant would have really helped in that respect. Could have maybe even used some of the money to get a copy of Spirited Away, etc. The head librarian was upset about the state decision. The regional directior was upset about the state decision. Nobody was happy about this...the collection will continue to grow, just not at the rate that we expected/wanted. |
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lianncoop
Past ANN Contributor
Posts: 1705 Location: Indiana |
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Man, that is just so bizarre. But, I know that money has been a bit of an issue with us too. Property taxes not going up and all...ooh a whole 5 cents...but, it has limited some of our budgets. I understand. There's always next year. I'm surprised that you got Sailor Moon in there. At least your collection is growing, even if it is slow.
It's just so funny...we have parents who let their kids read the graphic novels, but the devil will come strike them down if their kid picks up a copy of Harry Potter. My 2 favorite titles, "White Trash Cooking" and "What's a Christain To Do With Harry Potter?" Anyway, I will suggest some fairly harmless titles that hopefully won't offend: Saint Tail Zodiac P.I. Forbidden Dance Card Captor Sakura Man, I'm trying to think of some guy oriented titles that wouldn't be offensive, but it's hard. Well, anyway I think there's a YA Graphic review site for librarians somewhere that could help. |
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Kagato
 Posts: 156 |
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One Peice,Naruto,Shaman King,Dragon Ball,Rave Master,Gatekeepers,Jing.Back on the subject,we don't have ANY graphic novels in any libraries within 30 miles from me.Apparently,whenever anyone sees me reading a graphic novel,they think I am of a lower class than them,reading "kiddy books". |
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Kanna no Mai
 Posts: 164 |
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Dragon Ball has nudity, so it's offensive to some people. |
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Cerberus
 Posts: 120 Location: In front of a monitor |
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Yup Dragon Ball has shown Bulma naked quite a few times. Also Naruto's Ninja Harem is basically a naked girl with clouds covering the privates... |
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Kanna no Mai
Posts: 164 |
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You forgot about Goku. He's been naked more than Bulma. |
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Carol Maxwell
 Posts: 359 |
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That sucks, but, some of them do actually contain sexual situations, so, can't blame them. I can name two examples right off the bat, MARS volume 10 and Paradise Kiss volume 3. Also, I point you to the Ranma 1/2 books, yes, so many times have we seen Ranma in girl form, Akane, or other girls that just happen to be there, in the nude. Nothing really shows, it's mostly waist up. So, yes, it may have sucked to get it rejected, but, they may have seen some that did contain that. Now, there are a lot more graphic novels that contain just plain good funnyness. So, in other words, it would be like not letting Calvin and Hobbes or Garfield NOT being in the library. C'mon, it's a definate need! A graphic novel section should be in EVERY library. Especially considering that there are a lot more people reading them. It would be a good idea to get more into the library systems so it's easier for everyone to read.
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