Week 13 Prompt

As librarians, we have the responsibility to provide for the reading interests of our patrons. We aim to fulfill each reader’s needs, without judgment. We should also be marketing our materials in such a way as to highlight our collection so that readers will easily find both materials they are actively searching for as well as materials they may be interested in if easily found.  This may mean creating a display of New Adult books or of graphic novels in a location that will be visible to adult readers. Bookmarks or posters that list current YA titles could also be placed in the Adult department as these readers frequently check out Young Adult materials.  

When providing readers’ advisory to children and teens in the library, I’m aware of the importance of finding the ’right’ book, one that they’ll enjoy and cause them to return for more, thus igniting a lifelong love of reading. Often a parent will complain that their child will only read comic books, graphic novels or a book such as Dork Diaries or Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Sometimes I am asked, ‘what real book could I recommend that may catch their interest.’ Reading for pleasure should always be just that, for pleasure. I have noted to more than one patron that the current Director of our library developed a love of reading as a child by reading comic books and books about super heroes.

Graphic novels have gained in popularity in recent years for every age group, including adults. Many adult readers seek graphic novels based on the subject matter or based on the particular artistic style. Because this format has become so popular, it is important that librarians’ collection development practices reflect this trend through collection development as well as the manner in which this collection is marketed. 

Young Adult novels are frequently checked out by adult patrons, sometimes for a child to read, but often to read themselves. On more than one occasion, one of my teenagers have read a YA book that appealed to me and I then chose  to read. I read a great deal of Young Adult novels, partially so that I may better suggest titles for patrons, but mostly because they appeal to me.  YA novels may appeal to adults for a variety of reasons. The pacing is often fast and many young adult books are a quick read. Although the tone may be dark and the subject matter intense, the amount of violence and sexual content is generally less than in many adult novels.

New Adult books deal with topics such as marriage, new job, college and independence from parents, and generally appeal to readers who are just beyond the teen years. Often books whose characters are going through a particular stage in life will appeal to readers who are experiencing similar circumstances. As a middle aged reader, I often enjoy books whose characters are in the same stage of life as I am and may be encountering similar issues, such as adult children and the prospect of an empty nest in the near future.  It is not surprising that adults in their early and mid twenties would seek out books whose characters are experiencing circumstances similar to their own.  Although not a separate genre, titles that fall into this category could be grouped together in a display or listed on a read-alike handout available nearby.  When listing newly acquired library materials on the library’s website or in a library newsletter, it may be easier for patrons to become aware of titles they might enjoy, but might not normally find easily on the shelves in the adult department, such as a YA novel.

Graphic novels, YA literature and New Adult should be actively promoted in the library simply because these appeal to our patrons.