Graphic Novel survey

Have you ever had Batman come to your library? We have at Palmerston North City Library, in the form of a graphic novel.

Since 1994, when David Lee Smith, head of Upper Hutt Public Library wrote his article: Comics in New Zealand libraries in the journal New Zealand Libraries (47(11), 1994) there are more public libraries who now have graphic novels than were mentioned then.

However, graphic novels remain an unfamiliar medium in many of our public libraries. Through sharing our ideas and experiences we can become better equipped to implement and maintain collections that benefit the communities we serve. I would like to ask for your help in providing information for a study looking at graphic novels in New Zealand public libraries. I am particularly interested in the reasons behind your choices whether or not to have graphic novels in your library.

Following is a short survey which should take no more than 10 minutes of your time. I would very much appreciate your assistance in providing the reasons for your choice to have or not to have graphic novels in your library. Your confidentiality in answering these questions is assured.

Please answer each appropriate question. You are most welcome to comment further on any point covered by the following questions. Thank you very much for your time and I look
forward to receiving your reply before [date - Gary, 5 days should be heaps of time here?].
Please enter your email address (optional)

Please enter library name

Please enter other contact details (optional)

For the purposes of this study, a graphic novel is a *complete story* told in illustrated form with minimal text, sometimes referred to as 'a comic book'; eg: "Superman" or "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns". However, graphic novels are different from comics which tell stories in serial parts month by month - almost like getting a chapter of a novel each month instead of the complete story in one novel. Comics are *not* included in the definition of graphic novels. [Gary, I will get more examples to clarify this point]

Do you have any graphic novels in your library?

Yes: please answer Section B (A1, A2, A3)
No : please answer Section A (B1, B2, B3, B4)

SECTION A

No: I do not have graphic novels in my library

A 1. Has your library ever had graphic novels?

No, we have never had graphic novels
Yes, we did have graphic novels but
(you may tick more than one box)

they cost too much
too many went missing
there was a lack of availability to purchase/lack of a supplier
they were too trashy/violent/etc.
we had too many patron complaints
there doesn't seem to be a need for them
other (please specify):

A 2. Have you ever considered having graphic novels in your library?

Yes, we considered having graphic novels

because:

but we decided not to have them because:

No, we have not considered having graphic novels because

(you may tick more than one box)
they cost too much
the risk of theft was too great
we haven't thought about it
there doesn't seem to be a need for them
there is a lack of availability to purchase/lack of a supplier
they are too trashy/violent/etc.
other (please specify):

A 3. Would you like the results of the entire study sent to you (early next year)

No
Yes, please send it to:

Name:
email address:
postal or other contact:

Thank you very much for your time and assistance.

SECTION B

Yes, I do have graphic novels in my library

B 1. When did graphic novels begin to be included in the library
collection?

B 2. For what reason/s did graphic novels begin to be included?
(you may tick more than one box)

patron's request
suggestions from colleague/s
articles read
personal interest in graphic novels
other (please comment):

B 3. Why do you continue to have graphic novels in your collection?
(you may tick more than one box)

popularity of collection/graphic novels
increased membership
increased readership of wider collection
other (please comment):

B 4. Would you be willing to fill in a more detailed survey about having
graphic novels in your library?

It should take no more than 20-30 minutes of your time.
Through sharing our ideas and experiences we can become better equipped to implement and maintain collections that benefit the communities we serve..

No, I am in the middle of negotiating peace in the middle east and can
not spare the time. Sorry. (just joking Gary!)
Yes, I would like the survey to be sent to:

Name:
email address:
fax number:
postal or other contact:

Thank you very much for your time and assistance.