91´«Ã½

91´«Ã½’s Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table (GNCRT) is pleased to announce that nominations are open for the new Best Graphic Novels for Adults Reading List. The inaugural year of the reading list will highlight the best graphic novels for adults published in late 2019 and throughout 2020, increase awareness of the graphic novel medium, raise voices of diverse comics creators, and aid library staff in the development of graphic novel collections. The first list will be announced at the 91´«Ã½ Midwinter Meeting in January 2021. List selection will be determined by a committee of GNCRT members with a background in graphic novel selection and use for adults. Nominations can be made .

The GNCRT Best Graphic Novels for Adults Reading List Selection Committee - which is charged with reviewing nominated titles and selecting the list is being chaired by Jessica Jenner, an Academic Librarian Intern at Arizona State University and MLIS student.

“Influences from graphic novels and comics are in popular culture, from big blockbuster movies to Broadway plays. By having an official top ten list that is carefully curated for libraries highlights the relevance and importance of these artists and their work have in our society,” Ms. Jenner said. “The committee and I will deliberate over all nominated titles considering things like how the artwork supports the story, the complexity of the characters, the audience that it is intended for and how the story impacts us. The hope is to attract more adult readers to the influential and inspiring stories that come from graphic novels and comics.”

Graphic Novel Eligibility and Nominations

Eligible graphic novels for the 2020 Best Graphic Novels for Adults will include all fiction and non-fiction titles published between September 1, 2019 - December 31, 2020 that would appeal to adults age 19 or older. Nominations can be made by committee members, members of the wider library and education community and members of the public through an . The nomination form is open now until September 15, 2020.

Publishers are welcome to submit copies of titles to the GNCRT Best Graphic Novels for Adults Selection Committee for review. To do so, please contact GNCRT staff liaison Tina Coleman at ccoleman@ala.org. While publishers may submit review copies to the committee, publishers and creators may not nominate their own titles for consideration to the final list. By submitting review copies, publishers are assisting the committee with identifying potential eligible titles that may or may not be nominated for the list by committee members.

About the Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table

The of the 91´«Ã½ is dedicated to supporting library staff in all aspects of engaging with graphic novels and comics, including collection development, programming, and advocacy. For more information connect with GNCRT on Facebook: 91´«Ã½ Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table; Twitter: @libcomix; Instagram: @libcomix; or the GNCRT 91´«Ã½ Connect page.

About 91´«Ã½

Established in 1876, the 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization created to provide leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.