So notes the School Library Journal.
From the piece...
At the panel discussion "Why Graphic Novels Should Be in Your Library," Laverne Mann, an outreach librarian at Piscataway Public Library, explained that she buys comics and graphic novels to increase traffic and to boost circulation figures. It's easy for her to justify those purchases, Mann said, since graphic novels make up a small percentage of her collection, but are always checked out.
Tyler Rousseau, an emerging technology librarian at Monroe Township Public Library, agreed, saying that the high demand and low cost of comics is why he continues to buy titles such as the "I Kill Giants" (Classic Comics, 2008-2009) series by Joe Kelly, illustrated by J. M. Ken Nilmura, about a girl who copes with giants and her mother's death and Zombie Survival Guide (Three Rivers, 2003) by Max Brooks, which shows zombies popping up throughout history.
In New Jersey, State Librarian Norma Blake encourages graphic formats and has awarded $3,000 in grants to 14 small New Jersey libraries to create or enrich their collections. The State Library also has created a website to help librarians with graphic novel collection development.
"Librarians realize that graphic novels and comics are popular in public libraries," said David Lisa, the State Library's Urban Libraries and Adult Services Specialist and a former owner of a comic book store. "The demand for manga in specific age groups at public libraries is really intense and media tie-ins also increases the demand." He suggested librarians display DVDs alongside books so patrons can check-out both.
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