The Cataloguing and Shelving of Graphic Novels: A Comparison of Public Librarian and Patron Perceptions

Abstract

With the recent rise of pop culture, the graphic novel has sought its place in our public libraries. There have always been issues over where to place, and how to classify and shelve this often troublesome format. Although there has been much discussion, very little research has been done into this field, and the opinions of those who use graphic novel collections, as well as those who do not, have not been sought in the past. This project aimed to compare the opinions of three groups in regards to the placement and classification of graphic novels in public libraries; public librarians, graphic novel readers, and those who do not read graphic novels. In order to do this, a mixed method approach was taken. Four public librarians from around Otago and Southland were interviewed in order to learn their opinions, while a survey of library patrons was undertaken in order to discover how graphic novel readers and non-readers felt about this topic. This survey targeted users of the same libraries the interviewees worked at, and overall 41 useful responses were collected. The research found that librarian’s opinions were not the major factor to effect how libraries dealt with graphic novel collections. They were more likely to be influenced by other factors, like space restrictions. Librarian’s opinions also tended to align with those of graphic novel readers, rather than non- readers. The research also provides a strong mandate for public libraries to build separate graphic novel collections, with both readers and non-readers agreeing that public libraries should have graphic novel collections.