c2e2 2012: Wonder Twin Powers Activate - The Library/Retailer Relationship

Toby Greenwalt, Skokie,
Suggested comics -- Stumptown, King City, Big Questions, Darth Vader and Son, We3, 20th Century Boys, Bye Bye Babylon, WWIII Illustrated, The 99, Arab in America, Hookah Girl, Paying for It...

Trends -- Manga is going down.  Tokyopop closed.  Walking Dead is huge.  Generally, though, graphic novels outcirc traditional genres.  Less title, but better quality, more complexity.

How to Buy -- Increase copy depth (2,3 or 4 copies of Walking Dead, Avengers, Batman, etc.)

Partnership -- Graphic novels are a great tool for reluctant readers.  Libraries send customers over.  Helps the industry.  Having libraries stock GN's legitimizes the art form.  Share programming.  They don't have to be down the street.  The retailer will be hungry to work with you.  Administration may be hesitant...

Should libraries be teaming up with commercial interests?  They are strong, local user communities.  Comic store kids will become library kids.  Great tool for collection development.  Stores hip us to new things.  Buying from a local business beats saving a few bucks on Amazon.  Blanket ordering helps to take away selection time.  Get an "approval plan," get billed, no taxes, etc.  Book store will do RA, tell you what not to buy.  Ultimately, savings??

How to buy -- Traditional journals don't keep track.  Keep a spreadsheet.  Diamond bookshelf covers everything coming out.
Or the bookstore will work within your parameters, build you a list, etc.  Being able to see books can be helpful.  A trust relationship...which leads to SRP prizes.

Programming -- Great contact for creative community.  Hermits will go through comic book store before they will go through library.  Good mediators.  1st Saturday in May is always Free Comic Book Day, can contact the store or them directly.  Author signings, we provide the space while they provide the talent.  Involving kids in creating comics, can use artists.   Manga Studio EX at Skokie's Digital Media Lab.  Single-issue book discussions, bought just for the discussion.

Issues -- Digital content.  Nothing for comics yet.  Josh Elder's getting some content up soon, we have been told...though it's not searchable yet.  Industry has its ups and downs.  We are clueless, but free to push for a better solution.
We can provide support to Intellectual Freedom issues.

The future -- local content, creative commons.  Collection can reflect the community.  We need to get out in the community, make sure everyone knows we've established the library as public presence...comic book stores can help.