Michael R. Lavin has been a reference and collection development librarian in public and academic libraries for more than 25 years. His current position is Coordinator of Electronic Collections for the University at Buffalo Libraries, where he also teaches graduate courses in the library school. Mike is a lifelong reader and collector of comic books and he has written several articles on the topic of graphic novels and comics in libraries. His web site, Comic Books for Young Adults, is a widely cited resource for librarians. The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Jossel. Mew Mew. Making the Case for Graphic Novels: Why Kids Like Them and Why Librarians Should Care by Michael R. Lavin The most important reason that public and school librarians should consider adding graphic novels (GNs) to their collection is very simple: they are fun to read and kids like them! Booksellers and librarians across America have discovered that graphic novels of all types, including Japanese-style "manga," are tremendously popular with young readers. Today, more than ever before, librarians can choose from a wide selection of high-quality graphic novels, covering every imaginable topic and genre and suitable for a variety of age levels. Despite the growing popularity and availability of graphic novels, Young Adult librarians may encounter problems convincing their coworkers and library directors that GNs are appropriate for libraries. Why do graphic novels belong in your library's collection? The most commonly cited answer is that GNs attract kids and teens to the library. Furthermore, GNs tend to circulate heavily, making the cost per circulation very reasonable. Graphic novels are popular with kids not only because of their visual format, but because they deal with themes and topics that are meaningful to younger readers: alienation, prejudice, social injustice, coming of age, and personal responsibility, to name a few. Experience proves that graphic novels motivate reluctant readers, encourage reading of all types, and stimulate literary exploration. Several studies indicate that teens who read comic books and graphic novels also engage in other types of pleasure reading to a degree much greater than kids who don't read GNs. Reading specialists have long recognized that graphic novels can be very effective tools for use with poor readers, students with reading disabilities, and visual learners. GNs are particularly powerful in a parent/child read-aloud setting. They can also be used in adult literacy and English-as-a Second Language programs. Today's kids have grown up in a highly visual environment, bombarded by television, video games, and computer graphics. This may be a significant reason why kids are so attracted to graphic novels, but it suggests an additional benefit: reading and understanding GNs requires a special type of visual literacy, which in turn offers a translatable skill in today's highly graphical world. Reading comics with a critical eye also helps kids develop an appreciation for art and different artistic styles. In addition to these frequently mentioned advantages, I would add a less obvious one: graphic novels also appeal to highly motivated readers, creative kids, and gifted teens. Gifted readers are especially captivated by the believable details of well-crafted imaginary worlds portrayed in words and pictures. Many successful novelists, screenwriters, illustrators, actors, and directors have cited the important role that comic books and graphic novels played in their creative development. Graphic novels stimulate the imagination, inspiring kids and teens to draw and write their own comics, write and share prose in the form of Internet fan-fiction, and engage in other creative pursuits such as movie-making, costume and game design, and role-playing. Graphic novels can also be used in the classroom for a myriad of educational purposes. They are great focal points for library programming, book clubs and related activities, and they can stimulate discussion on themes and topics important to teens.