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Comics have a long been a place for creators to share stories of health and illness, not to mention playing a role in public health and patient communication for more than a century. Yet it wasn't until 2007, when Welsh physician Ian Williams coined the term graphic medicine to describe the intersection of the medium of comics and the discourse of healthcare that the idea, field, genre really took hold. Over the last 15 years there has been a dramatic rise in comics published, studies written, courses taught, and library collections dedicated to graphic medicine - but for many, it remains a new or strange idea. Join us for a lively discussion on the formation of the field, how libraries have been instrumental in its rise, and to learn how graphic medicine fits into your library.

Panelists: MK Czerwiec, RN, MA, Ian Williams, MD, MA, and Brittany Netherton; Moderated by GNCRT President-Elect Matthew Noe

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In observation of Canada’s Indigenous Peoples Day, GNCRT presents a webinar highlighting the work of Indigenous voices in Canadian comics and a related Will Eisner Graphic Novel Grant project from Ontario Library Service - North. Featuring Nancy Cooper (Southern Ontario Library Service) and Jay Odjick (Kagai) in conversation with Franco Vitella (Toledo Lucas County Public Library).

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Join founder of Dieselfunk Studios, Tim Fielder, as he discusses his groundbreaking new graphic novel, INFINITUM: An Afrofuturist Tale, with Tatanisha Love, a member of the Black Caucus of the 91´«Ã½ and the 91´«Ã½ Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table. Afrofuturism re-envisions a thriving world where there is power in Black people, Black history, and Black advancement. It celebrates Black joy and Black community without fear or oppression. This conversation will include the scope of Afrofuturism, its evolution, and ways to incorporate INFINITUM in educational settings. A classroom study guide will be available for download near the end of the event.

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This annual reception is a celebration of comics and graphic novels in libraries. Included are the official presentation of the two Will Eisner Graphic Novel Growth Grants and the Will Eisner Graphic Novel Innovation Grant to the winning library systems. While Will Eisner helped to create the graphic novel format, leading librarians have long-championed the many benefits of the graphic novel and comics to the world's readers of all ages. The grants are juried by leading professionals in the field. They are funded by the Will & Ann Eisner Family Foundation and sponsored by the 91´«Ã½ Graphic Novels and Comics in Libraries Round Table.

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Our panelists will discuss how to prepare for challenges - the importance of being proactive, creating strong policies, gathering advocates, etc. Attendees will leave with actionable information on how to build an arsenal of tools to deflect or defend against challenges.

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Getting a challenge can be upsetting and isolating. Our panel of librarians, creators and advocates will discuss how they dealt with challenges to comics and graphic novels, and offer strategies for deciding how to handle them. They will discuss steps you can take as soon as you get a challenge and will provide tactics for responding to challenges, preparing defense, and gathering support.

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After fighting a challenge, whatever the outcome, there are steps it's helpful to take. Our panelists will talk about the impact of challenges they've faced, lessons learned and how that learning affects how they move forward. Remember, you are not alone. Our panel will help you to Be Prepared, Fight Comics Censorship, and Live to Library Another Day!

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Experts will discuss how manga can support the social-emotional development of teens, finding community, titles for collection development, and more...

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Experts will discuss the LGBTQ+ community in Japan, creating safe spaces and programs, titles for collection development, and more...

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Experts will discuss spooky and scary myths and legends, why readers like to be scared, titles for collection development, and more...

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Experts discuss the literary value of manga, supporting the needs of all learners, titles for book clubs, and more...

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Experts will discuss manga challenges and censorship, tips for collection development, titles worth defending, and more...

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Public and school librarians from across the country discuss building a library culture, hosting manga and anime programming, and popular manga and anime series.

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Experts will discuss the social context of gender expectations in Japan, sexuality and fanservice in manga, titles with positive representations and more...

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Discussion about the importance of including manga in the collections, suggestions for purchasing, resources for collection development, and more!

Panelists: Jillian Ehlers, Christina Taylor, Ashley Hawkins, Nekenya Lewis-Yarbrough, and Sara Smith

Manga in Libraries, Why Manga? Resources List (pdf)

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Join Coretta Scott King winner, Newbery Award winner, and children’s cartoonist Jerry Craft, in conversation with Ariell Johnson, owner of Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse, a Black-owned comic book store in Philadelphia, about Class Act, his companion book to New Kid and the comics on their to-read lists this year. This conversation will be moderated by librarians from the Black Caucus of the 91´«Ã½ (BC91´«Ã½) and the 91´«Ã½ Graphic Novels Comics Round Table (GNCRT).

ADDITIONAL RESOURCE: Black Future Month Resources - This is a list of resources suggested by our panelists Jerry Craft, Ariell Johnson; moderators Sandra Farag and Tatanisha Love, and audience during the webinar.

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Part of the 91´«Ã½ Midwinter Virtual Conference 2021

The second in this series - join librarians from the Black Caucus of the 91´«Ã½ (BC91´«Ã½) and the 91´«Ã½ Graphic Novels Comics Round Table (GNCRT) as they present and discuss their debut comics reading list that highlights the history of Black experiences and demand for a better future. The serves as an essential resource for educators, parents, and readers of all ages.

Panelists:

• - Sandra Farag, Head of Youth Services; Kalamazoo Public Library, MI
• - Deimosa Webber-Bey, Director, Information Services & Cultural Insight; Scholastic, Inc, NY
• - Tamela N. Chambers, Librarian IV; Chicago Public Library, IL
• - Shira Mario, Librarian
• - Tatanisha Love, Ed.S., Library Media Specialist; Baltimore County Public School System, MD

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Continuing our ongoing collaboration, the Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table (GNCRT) and the Black Caucus of the 91´«Ã½ (BC91´«Ã½) are launching a series of webinars with creators discussing the relevance of comics to the Black Lives Matter movement - and beyond.

The first webinar in this series - Black Lives Matter: Comics as a Powerful Lens for Social Justice - features Stacey Robinson and John Jennings, co-creators (with writer Tony Medina), of I Am Alfonso Jones - the first graphic novel for young readers that addressed that Black Lives Matter movement and one of our featured comics on the BC91´«Ã½ / GNCRT Black Lives Matter Comics Reading List. Session moderated by Deimosa Webber-Bey, Director, Information Service & Cultural Insights, Scholastic Inc.