prompt #7 (week 13)

As librarians, it is our duty to support and foster a love for reading in our communities and, crucially, to do so without judgement. If we become gatekeepers for what is or isn't legitimate reading material, we risk alienating our patrons and inadvertently practicing censorship, something libraries are foundationally built on opposing. Deeming these "genres" unworthy of promotion and/or their place in the stacks on the basis of what is or isn't "legitimate literature" is not a librarian's job. It is our job to provide any and all materials that reflect the needs and desires of our communities, and this certainly includes Young & New Adult literature and graphic novels. And as for who can or should check out these materials? That's certainly not for us to decide. No one should feel ashamed about their reading preferences, no matter their age. 

One of the first lessons I learned after starting my job at a public library was how graphic novels can be an excellent tool to encourage reading in children, especially those making the transition to chapter books from picture books or who are believed to be disinterested in reading entirely. What it took me longer to realize was that graphic novels aren't just a stepping stone for children, they're a literary force all on their own. I had never read a graphic novel until I started my job five years ago, now I read them constantly (Archie Bongiovanni's Mimosa is right next to me as I write this). I was amazed by the diversity within the medium and how the reading experience was so unique, very different from a standard novel. This different reading experience inherently alters the way a reader interacts with the material, granting them an entirely new perspective and/or resonating with them in a new way. All this to say, keeping people from having these experiences simply because "adults shouldn't read graphic novels" is bewildering and silly. 

I have fewer personal experiences with YA and New Adult novels, but many of my adult friends are die-hard fans. These "genres" appeal to them for myriad reasons, including their accessibility, themes, the innumerable Fantasy & Science Fiction titles, and the exploration of topics pertaining to gender/sexuality. These books are fun; people love them! It's clear in how so many YA series have become as popular as they have and have the staying power that they do. I can't fathom why or how it would benefit librarians to prevent adults from engaging with these books merely because they're perceived to be for "too old" for them. 

These "genres," especially in recent years, have made it clear that they can do so much for their readers. The reading experiences don't necessarily become less poignant, interesting, validating, or relevant just because it's an adult person with the book in their hand instead of a teen or a child. Gatekeeping people from a rewarding reading experience is antithetical to librarianship. Therefore, I think it's beneficial to integrate these "genres" into traditional adult fiction spaces. Displays around the library should include pertinent teen fiction or graphic novels alongside adult fiction. It would also be beneficial to place displays specifically focusing on these genres within the adult stacks, just to further legitimize them as options for this age group. 

Librarians can also promote YA, New Adult, and graphic novels through their recommendations or programming efforts. When a patron requests Readers' Advisory, librarians should ask if they'd be interested in materials from these genres instead of assuming they would only want traditionally "adult" books. And programming can make a huge difference, too, especially with book clubs. I'm familiar with a few libraries and book stores that host "YA for Adults" or graphic novel-themed book clubs, but all adult-based book clubs can branch out every now and then by offering a YA/New Adult book or graphic novel as their next read. There's a chance that not everyone would enjoy it, but that's always a risk with book club picks. Worst case, it'll lead to passionate discussion. Best case, a reader might discover a latent love for the genre they never would have realized otherwise.