 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
"In 1990, Art Spiegelman won the Pulitzer Prize for Maus, signaling to the publishing mainstream what aficionados of the graphic novel had long known: Comic books are a medium capable of exploring themes every bit as serious as those studied by any prose novel."
Martin Pedersen
"Comix at 100"
Publishers Weekly
June 12, 1995
|
|
|
Materials Selection Philosophy
Those who work at Brodart in graphic novels are all long-time fans of the format. They constantly monitor this new and changing publishing environment. They provide comprehensive core lists, special topic lists and customized selection lists to individual libraries.
Brodart Collection Development chooses library materials to serve the informational, educational, cultural and recreational needs of communities. The primary goal is to provide the best possible collection. The graphic novels team strives to create an attractive, up-to-date, balanced collection representing all fields of knowledge and all sides of issues in a neutral, unbiased manner.
Graphic novels cover a wide range of ideas, issues and lifestyles. Thanks to this diversity, there is a great range of entertaining and provocative material available. Of course, there will always be some materials that appeal or do not appeal to specific individuals. This seems to be especially true in new forms of expression, and is a sensitive matter when the format appeals to young people. But including a particular viewpoint in a collection is not an endorsement of it. Rather, it is an expression of the Library's policy of intellectual freedom.
At Brodart we encourage free expression and free access to ideas, both essential elements in a democratic society. We don't knowingly discriminate in material selection regarding age, race, beliefs or affiliations of the author or producer. We subscribe to the principles of the "Library Bill of Rights," the "Freedom to Read Statement" and the "Freedom to View Statement" of the American Library Association.
Responsibility for Materials Selection
The graphic novels team makes selections based primarily upon material reviews and knowledge of a publisher's expertise in specific subject areas. In collaboration with a library's staff, Brodart holds itself responsible for the overall maintenance and quality of customized selection lists. The monitoring and review that goes into creating them is considerable. We're proud of the work and take our critical role very seriously.
Our goal is to provide as much information as possible about each title selected, including an appropriate age range. But there is no question that in sensitive areas individual libraries must partner with us in this process. In the case of titles identified as "for mature readers," a library's staff will need to decide whether these books are appropriate for its collection.
General Selection Guidelines
It is important to remember that selecting materials for a collection is more an art than a science and requires staff well attuned to patron needs, regional library collections, publishing industry trends, and a general understanding of recorded knowledge. The graphic novels team at Brodart has the education, training and work experience required to make important selection decisions within this framework.
The selection criteria for graphic novels lists narrows the range of material by selecting titles based on quality, popularity and diversity. Therefore, the library materials selected include the true graphic novel format, combining sequential art and text, traditional comic strips, books about graphic novels, artists, illustrators, "how to" drawing books, and descriptive books about the format.
Specific Selection Guidelines
Brodart's Collection Development department takes the following factors into consideration when selecting items for graphic novels collections:
 Relevance to community needs and interests
Current and projected demand
Availability and suitability of physical format for library purposes
Suitability of presentation for intended audience
Relevance to existing subject coverage in the collection
Reviews from library and subject-specific journals and popular publications
Clarity, readability and ease of use
Timeliness or permanence of material
Accuracy and authenticity
Literary merit and inclusion in standard bibliographies and indices
Current and historical significance
Authority and reputation of the author, illustrator, and / or publisher
Local authorship or production
Initial and ongoing costs
Overall quality
|
|
