This is probably the reason why there are so few readers out there

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by Latinandgreek

I've seen tons of comics in Canadian libraries. Many comics are issued in trade paperbacks, which are released containing 6-7 (approx.) single issues of a comic reprinted on better quality paper bound together in a single volume.

like I said, in US libraries, and perhaps it is an issue of semantics... flimsy little 30 page publications, or small little actual book type publications.

I tried to find an image of the two different types of publications, but all I can find are the cover art

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

like I said, in US libraries, and perhaps it is an issue of semantics... flimsy little 30 page publications, or small little actual book type publications.

I tried to find an image of the two different types of publications, but all I can find are the cover art

Maybe so. I tend to use the words "comics" and "graphic novels" interchangeably. Just now I put the phrase "graphic novel" into the search engine of one of our local libraries and it returned quite a few hits.

http://elibrary.chesapeake.lib.va.us...&submit=Search

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

Maybe so. I tend to use the words "comics" and "graphic novels" interchangeably. Just now I put the phrase "graphic novel" into the search engine of one of our local libraries and it returned quite a few hits.

http://elibrary.chesapeake.lib.va.us...&submit=Search

oh, see, I don't and I have a feeling that the others who are saying "comics aren't books" don't either. I'm sure you remember the comics that would be sold by the cash registers alongside the magazines that were maybe 5 or 10 cents each? sometimes you would even get a bag of 5 or 6 for a quarter, and that was kind of a crap shoot... you could see the one in the front but never knew what else you were getting.

so it does appear that it is indeed an issue of semantics?

edit: dictionary.com is only a little bit of help:
graphic novel 
–noun
a novel in the form of comic strips.
Origin:
1985–90
comic book 
–noun
a magazine with one or more comic strips.
Also called comic, funny book.

Origin:
1940–45

[DuncanWatson]

My library when I grew up (Northport, NY, USA) used to keep comics in with the periodicals. Graphic Novels or collections end up in the book areas. I have no idea what my local library does as I tend to my own collection now. I rarely visit libraries now. I do know that the library had to deal with a theft problem with periodicals and tried a number of methods to reduce it. They dropped a number of publications over the years due to that issue.

Comics are obviously books in the same fashion that ebooks are books. The form doesn't matter but the contents are the same. The only difference is that in comic books you see more illustrations.

Regarding the various people who somehow think that the OPs story was mean, or that maybe the mother was justified in some way; Well I guess that some people can believe anything. Given the observed events, the mother is an anti-intellectual destroyer of dreams. The only way I can see anyone supporting her is a knee-jerk support of authority. While that is very Old-Testament, it is not something I can support.

[kindlekitten]

really? honest to goodness comics? could they be checked out? as I was thinking about this, I was going over in my head how to physically describe them, and kind of like a magazine kept popping up. yes, libraries have magazines, they are only in the periodical section, and other than bound collections, they cannot be checked out

[DuncanWatson]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

really? honest to goodness comics? could they be checked out? as I was thinking about this, I was going over in my head how to physically describe them, and kind of like a magazine kept popping up. yes, libraries have magazines, they are only in the periodical section, and other than bound collections, they cannot be checked out

In my old library periodical's could be checked out but for less time than books. They also had a section in the "stacks" where older periodicals were stored. They had special plastic covers for the ones in the main section as they had to suffer from many people touching them.

And for instance they had issues of "Amazing Spider-man" in my old library, so yes, honest to goodness comics. Not the largest selection as comics in the 80s included many hundreds of titles published monthly and my library had only a few, but it was very cool.

[Latinandgreek]

You could check out honest-to-goodness comics (the 30 page ones) from my library in Canada, too. They had a special section of their own (comics and graphic novels).

[boxcorner]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

I don't believe I have ever seen a comic in a US library. maybe books of collected comics, but no comics.

now just to make sure... a US comic is a flimsy publication often not more than 30 or so pages, not like the Asterix (sp?) comics I remember from Germany that resembled an Analog or Amazing publication; usually at least 150 or so pages with an almost rigid spine, kind of a booklet if you will. this could be a matter of semantics

Comic books, or graphic novels, are very popular in European countries such as Belgium, France and Italy. They usually have hard covers and a rigid spine, are about A4-size and around 1cm thick. Also, hardback comic annuals of a similar size are published in the UK.

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by DuncanWatson

In my old library periodical's could be checked out but for less time than books. They also had a section in the "stacks" where older periodicals were stored. They had special plastic covers for the ones in the main section as they had to suffer from many people touching them.

And for instance they had issues of "Amazing Spider-man" in my old library, so yes, honest to goodness comics. Not the largest selection as comics in the 80s included many hundreds of titles published monthly and my library had only a few, but it was very cool.

I am very very surprised. you must have had a very well funded library with a head librarian with a lot of independence!

Originally Posted by boxcorner

Comic books, or graphic novels, are very popular in European countries such as Belgium, France and Italy. They are usually have hard covers and a rigid spine, are about A4-size and around 1cm thick. Also, hardback comic annuals of a similar size are published in the UK.

those I can see being in a library. the other flimsier version that I have referred to simply would not stand up to a great deal of mobility

[GA Russell]

I'm quite surprised at the reports that libraries have comics! I have seen in comic book stores trade paperback books of over 200 pages of reprints of Superman, Batman and The Flash from the 50s and 60s.

I read The Hardy Boys from second through fourth grades. As I recall, there wasn't much available for kids in grades 5-7, and I got out of the habit of reading books.

I entered high school in grade 8 (a five-year program), and there was a great deal of assigned reading from then on. The Jesuits I had in high school were the most joyless men I've ever met, and whatever enjoyment there was to be found in the books they dashed from the get go.

[Jack Tingle]

Originally Posted by slayda

I guess by that definition, what we read on our ereaders are not books.

That's actually covered in the next sentence of the paragraph on Wikipedia. It just wasn't germane to the point at hand.

Regards,
Jack Tingle

[mrscoach]

Originally Posted by GraceKrispy

I am on a board with some teachers, and many apparently only read a book or two in the summer (they look forward to summer, when they can read) and that's about it. HUH? I don't get it either, but then again, I'm a bit of a freak. No one I know irl reads as much as me except my mom and my own kids. I just don't get how you could *not* read!

This does tend to happen to many teachers, they have no time to read in their own time. Teaching doesn't end with the final bell of the day. Lessons have to be planned, then classrooms have to be set up, or material run off, or some other sort of preparation for lesson made. Then there is the grading of the papers turned in (some states do not allow grading papers in class), and real life issues, such as being on the board of something.

As far as only reading a book or two in the summer, I understand that, too. School ends later and starts earlier than ever in more places. Then teachers must attend continuing education (CE) classes to keep their certifications, most times at their own expense. They are mandated to have so many days of CE a year (thanks NCLB), which must be done on their own time, not during school. Some schools provide a couple at the beginning of the year, but not all. I have also know teachers who take their time and savor the books they DO get to read, when they have a chance.

All that said, I know teachers who are able to read, even during the school year.

[HamsterRage]

Originally Posted by pmgibson

I have a friend who reads while she takes her dog for walks. Now, I love to read, but my terrier would pull me into the next county if I tried to read while walking him.

That's what podcasts are for.

[Iridal]

It's really sad to see how little people, and especially young people, read. A while ago the National Railway Company asked people who commute to work by train about their reading habits. They were proud to present the results: 50% of the respondents claimed to have read one book in the last 6 months. Which apparently is way better than the national average.



I guess that means I'm a freak of nature

I'm so glad I grew up in a family were reading was encouraged. I don't think I ever went to bed without a nighttime story when I was little, and my mom bought books for us all the time (and read them herself) when we were old enough to read our own books. My siblings and me are now in our twenties, and we all read all the time.

[RarneyBubble]

This furthers my ever-dying hope in humanity.