91´«Ã½

The 91´«Ã½’s Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table and the Will and Ann Eisner Family Foundation are pleased to announce the 2024 recipients of Will Eisner Graphic Novel Grants for Libraries. These grants, funded by the Will and Ann Eisner Family Foundation, are administered by 91´«Ã½'s Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table (GNCRT).

The Will Eisner Graphic Novel Grants for Libraries provide support to libraries in two categories – the Innovation Grant awarded to a library who would like to initiate a new graphic novel service, program, or initiative and the Growth Grant awarded to a library that would like to expand their existing graphic novel services and programs.

The 2024 Will Eisner Graphic Novel Growth Grant is awarded to Natalie Romano, Ashlan Christensen, Madison Hosack, and Juno Kling of the Denver Public Library, Denver, CO., and supported by the Denver Public Library Friends Foundation − Their project “Sequences of Connection: Fostering ownership and agency through diverse graphic novels at Urban Peak” will feature a series of graphic novel programs at Urban Peak, Denver's only shelter for youth experiencing homelessness. Planned programs include a book club and comic making as well as a youth-led curation of a permanent graphic novel collection at Urban Peak. Aimed at fostering community and providing spaces for self-expression, the project empowers youth experiencing homelessness to engage with graphic novels and sequential art, both as readers and creators.

The 2024 Will Eisner Graphic Novel Innovation Grant is awarded to Julianne Novetsky of Warren Public Library in Warren, MI ─ Their project “Empowering Young Adult Voices Through Graphic Novel Creation” aims to empower at-risk teens by guiding them through a series of sessions where they transform their personal experiences into graphic novels culminating in "publishing" their works and celebrated with a book release party. Collaborating with experienced mentors in relevant fields, the program provides a platform for self-expression and skill development.

Each of these grants award the winning libraries with $2,000 in collection development funds for the purchase of graphic novels, as well as $1,000 to host a graphic novel-themed event. Additionally, the recipients will receive the Will Eisner Library—a graphic novel collection of Will Eisner’s in-print work and biographies about the acclaimed writer and artist—and a selection of this year’s Will Eisner Award winning graphic novels along with a $1,000 travel stipend to attend the 2024 91´«Ã½ Annual Conference in San Diego, CA. The grant recipients will be celebrated at 91´«Ã½ Annual during the 2024 Will Eisner Graphic Novel Grants for Libraries Presentation on Sunday, June 30, 202 at 10:30am PT.

Nancy and Carl Gropper of the Will and Ann Eisner Family Foundation said, “On behalf of the Will and Ann Eisner Family Foundation, we extend our heartiest congratulations to the recipients of this year’s Will Eisner Grants for their outstanding proposals. The chosen projects greatly benefit underserved populations of teenagers and will mean so much to all involved. Our heartfelt thank you to the jurists for their hard work in what must be difficult choices, and to all the librarians who submitted their proposals. Each year we greatly enjoy our partnership with the 91´«Ã½ and the beloved librarians across the nation and beyond who they represent.”

GNCRT President Robin Brenner said, “We are delighted to continue working with the Will and Ann Eisner Family Foundation to award these grants. I congratulate the juries on their choices. The winning proposals this year include two projects dedicated to outreach to teens who will greatly benefit from these enticing and creative programs, and we're proud to be able to help launch initiatives that will greatly impact local communities and youth.”

More information on the grants and the application process can be found at /gncrt/eisner

About The Will and Ann Eisner Family Foundation

The Will and Ann Eisner Family Foundation fosters innovation and creativity in graphic literature, sequential art and comics. It encourages others to continue and build upon the legacy of Will Eisner, who broke new ground in the development of visual narrative and the language of comics. Will Eisner is best known for being the creator of The Spirit comic, for developing comics for education and training, and for writing the first modern graphic novel. For more information about Will Eisner visit.

About the Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table

The Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table 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.