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Manga in Libraries: A Guide for Teen Librarians
Manga, which encompasses comics originating from Japan, is treasured by readers of all ages. And because of its emotional storytelling, breathtaking artwork, and relatable and transformative stories about humanity, manga is especially popular with teens. Whether you provide reference services and readers’ advisory, handle programming, or teach in the classroom, this book from manga expert Rudes will show you how to connect young readers to manga for entertainment, empowerment, and literacy. You will learn
- GenresMangaNonfictionAdult
136 pages, Paperback
Published February 17, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 18, 2023
Finished reading this one last night: “Manga in Libraries: A Guide for Teen Librarians” by Jillian Rudes (ALA Editions, 2023). This one checks off dual boxes, both “work related” and “personal interest”.
A nice brief overview—only 136 pages, and I didn’t even read the two appendices in the back, the longer of which is a guide to conducting webinars on manga in libraries, the shorter being additional manga book lists—of the Japanese form of graphic literature (or comics) called “manga” (pronounced as mahn-gah, not main-gah, although I must admit I still have trouble with that sometimes) specifically in relation to its place in library collections and library programming.
Me giving here the table of contents chapter names is probably the best way of summarizing it: Chapter 1 “Manga 101”, Chapter 2 “Manga Collection Development”, Chapter 3 “Representation in Manga”, Chapter 4 “Social-Emotional Learning and Manga”, Chapter 5 “Manga Programming”, Chapter 6 “Teaching With Manga”, and the two aforementioned Appendices (both under the heading, “Manga Sparks Joy”), “Manga in Libraries Webinars” and “Manga Book Lists”.
As a high school media specialist who is also a life long comic book reader, I have put a lot of emphasis on building and maintaining a large comics/graphic novels and manga section ever since I started at my current school twelve years ago. My background is in the American comic books (superheroes, media tie-ins like Star Wars and Star Trek comics, and general fiction and nonfiction graphic novels). My personal knowledge and experience with manga was (and still is) virtually nil. However, it was immediately apparent that the manga volumes already in the library collection when I arrived were pretty much the most popular books in the place. Some kids would come in multiple times in the same day to swap them out.
Not being knowledgeable of that various titles beyond what we already had (and cognizant that there are manga titles for all ages, including ones for adults that are not appropriate for a public high school library media center; one of the things this book goes into are manga publisher generated suggested audience age and content ratings and where to find those), I have generally taken a pretty conservative approach by mostly just replacing lost copies and buying the next newer volumes of the titles we already have. Occasionally I would order one or two volumes of a title we didn’t already have upon requests from students.
However, beyond the really good explanations given in “Manga in Libraries” of *why* so many young people enjoy reading manga (especially young girls but boys too), how manga characters are written and drawn so that boys and girls can empathize with those characters, their emotions, situations, etc., the next most valuable thing to me is its section on the very wide range of fictional genres available in manga, including samples of each. This is something that I will definitely look into doing better with resources like this, to try to diversify my school library media center’s manga collection to be more than the mostly boys and girls fantasy warrior/superhero type of stories that currently make up the bulk of what we have.
There are chapters that give detailed descriptions of manga programming the author has done with the students at her school, including manga related clubs, classes, volunteers/assistants groups, and even how to put on a manga comics convention. (Her school is in or nearby New York City so she also has field trip suggestions but obviously not all of those would be available or practical in all locations.)
She also spends an entire chapter, as can be seen in the listing of chapters, on social-emotional learning and how manga is a good place for young people to be able to identify positive traits in relation to one’s own social-emotional health and well being. And she also goes into the natural side interest in Japanese culture in general that oftentimes also becomes appealing to readers of manga.
While I can’t promise that I will personally use every suggestion the author makes in her book, I do value the wealth of examples she gives and will indeed be checking this book out again a bit later, after the start of the school year, to be able to at the very least review her book title and genre suggestions, and her additional resources lists.
Which brings me to one other thing I should probably mention. I already had this book last year on buying lists I’d put together but kept moving it to a “buy later” list because of its price. It’s actually a pretty expensive book (generally $50 or higher). I assume this is because it is published by ALA (American Library Association) Editions, and is therefore considered to be a professional/scholarly publication.
I could never justify spending that much on a professional development book that only I would read instead of using the money on more books for the students. But then one day when I was in my local public library branch of the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library (Florida), there it was. A copy of “Manga in Libraries: A Guide for Teen Librarians” sitting on their “NEW BOOKS” shelf. (And for once I hadn’t even been the person to request for them to buy a copy!)
So, I immediately checked it out. The moment I saw it and how small a book it is, page count wise and also just physically small, I was glad that I’d never bought a copy. But I highly recommend this book to any and all librarians interested in providing manga as part of their library’s books collection and programming, to try to do as I did and check out a copy from somewhere. After reading it, they might decide to buy their own copy if funds allow.
I gave “Manga in Libraries: A Guide for Teen Librarians” a four out of five stars on GoodReads.
A nice brief overview—only 136 pages, and I didn’t even read the two appendices in the back, the longer of which is a guide to conducting webinars on manga in libraries, the shorter being additional manga book lists—of the Japanese form of graphic literature (or comics) called “manga” (pronounced as mahn-gah, not main-gah, although I must admit I still have trouble with that sometimes) specifically in relation to its place in library collections and library programming.
Me giving here the table of contents chapter names is probably the best way of summarizing it: Chapter 1 “Manga 101”, Chapter 2 “Manga Collection Development”, Chapter 3 “Representation in Manga”, Chapter 4 “Social-Emotional Learning and Manga”, Chapter 5 “Manga Programming”, Chapter 6 “Teaching With Manga”, and the two aforementioned Appendices (both under the heading, “Manga Sparks Joy”), “Manga in Libraries Webinars” and “Manga Book Lists”.
As a high school media specialist who is also a life long comic book reader, I have put a lot of emphasis on building and maintaining a large comics/graphic novels and manga section ever since I started at my current school twelve years ago. My background is in the American comic books (superheroes, media tie-ins like Star Wars and Star Trek comics, and general fiction and nonfiction graphic novels). My personal knowledge and experience with manga was (and still is) virtually nil. However, it was immediately apparent that the manga volumes already in the library collection when I arrived were pretty much the most popular books in the place. Some kids would come in multiple times in the same day to swap them out.
Not being knowledgeable of that various titles beyond what we already had (and cognizant that there are manga titles for all ages, including ones for adults that are not appropriate for a public high school library media center; one of the things this book goes into are manga publisher generated suggested audience age and content ratings and where to find those), I have generally taken a pretty conservative approach by mostly just replacing lost copies and buying the next newer volumes of the titles we already have. Occasionally I would order one or two volumes of a title we didn’t already have upon requests from students.
However, beyond the really good explanations given in “Manga in Libraries” of *why* so many young people enjoy reading manga (especially young girls but boys too), how manga characters are written and drawn so that boys and girls can empathize with those characters, their emotions, situations, etc., the next most valuable thing to me is its section on the very wide range of fictional genres available in manga, including samples of each. This is something that I will definitely look into doing better with resources like this, to try to diversify my school library media center’s manga collection to be more than the mostly boys and girls fantasy warrior/superhero type of stories that currently make up the bulk of what we have.
There are chapters that give detailed descriptions of manga programming the author has done with the students at her school, including manga related clubs, classes, volunteers/assistants groups, and even how to put on a manga comics convention. (Her school is in or nearby New York City so she also has field trip suggestions but obviously not all of those would be available or practical in all locations.)
She also spends an entire chapter, as can be seen in the listing of chapters, on social-emotional learning and how manga is a good place for young people to be able to identify positive traits in relation to one’s own social-emotional health and well being. And she also goes into the natural side interest in Japanese culture in general that oftentimes also becomes appealing to readers of manga.
While I can’t promise that I will personally use every suggestion the author makes in her book, I do value the wealth of examples she gives and will indeed be checking this book out again a bit later, after the start of the school year, to be able to at the very least review her book title and genre suggestions, and her additional resources lists.
Which brings me to one other thing I should probably mention. I already had this book last year on buying lists I’d put together but kept moving it to a “buy later” list because of its price. It’s actually a pretty expensive book (generally $50 or higher). I assume this is because it is published by ALA (American Library Association) Editions, and is therefore considered to be a professional/scholarly publication.
I could never justify spending that much on a professional development book that only I would read instead of using the money on more books for the students. But then one day when I was in my local public library branch of the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library (Florida), there it was. A copy of “Manga in Libraries: A Guide for Teen Librarians” sitting on their “NEW BOOKS” shelf. (And for once I hadn’t even been the person to request for them to buy a copy!)
So, I immediately checked it out. The moment I saw it and how small a book it is, page count wise and also just physically small, I was glad that I’d never bought a copy. But I highly recommend this book to any and all librarians interested in providing manga as part of their library’s books collection and programming, to try to do as I did and check out a copy from somewhere. After reading it, they might decide to buy their own copy if funds allow.
I gave “Manga in Libraries: A Guide for Teen Librarians” a four out of five stars on GoodReads.
February 5, 2024
This is great, fast read with some super helpful information. Rudes writes very succinctly, and this small book provides quite a punch on topics suck as content warnings, book recommendations, lots of info on SEL and manga, and a whole chapter about structuring a manga election course. This book is a great read for librarians who are looking for self-edification on manga or some foundational information for their library policies.
January 7, 2024
Manga in Libraries, Jillian Rudes author. 2023. I have personally learned so much from Jillan and love following her on social media (@JRLibrarian) and visiting her website - https://mangainlibraries.com/ .
I have bought many titles for my classroom based on her reviews and am thankful for her super efforts to bring this medium to us all. She is a fierce advocate of literacy and the inclusion of Manga and presents on this topic around the country. The opening to this book speaks volumes about her passion and personal experiences with readers. The first paragraph is reason enough to purchase this book - “Readers should have access to manga in their libraries because of its emotional and epic storytelling, its unique and breathtaking artwork, its relatable and transformative stories about humanity, and the endless variety of genres, characters, conflicts, and plots found in its pages. Manga is by far the most-read medium in my library, and readers visit multiple times a day to borrow it from the collection. There is definitely no one type of manga reader; patrons of every age, gender, background, and reading level read manga. So, if readers want to read mange, your library should provide them with access to it.” WOW!!!! Such a great opening to a book that should be on every librarian’s desk. Visual literacy and connecting to how we consume media and information today. Escapism. Stress reduction. Manga allowing us to become emotionally involved with the characters, experiencing many walks of life. Empowering readers. Fostering a love for all things literacy. -These are just some of the opening salvos to why we need manga in our libraries. Each chapter provides information on resources for further reading and have served as an inspirational jumping off point for my research. I LOVE that this is a personal book from Jillian – integrating her personal experiences and joy. Other topics you will explore in Jillian’s book -
Manga 101 – history and explanation of the medium. (I really appreciated this chapter as a social studies teacher!) How to Read Manga – invaluable. Reading in this format is different than in western comics. Tips on supporting novice Manga readers and an introduction to the different genres in this medium. Ratings and warnings, depending on age level, etc.
Manga Collection Development – knowing your library, budget, and audience. Tips on how to begin a manga collection and where to begin. (This chapter included wonderful interviews with some of my favorite people – Deb Aoki and Sara Smith.) Also tips on preparing for possible challenges and ways to perhaps even stop them before they begin.
Other chapters include: Representation in Manga, Social-Emotional Learning connections and choosing manga books, manga programming for libraries (LOVE!!!!!), teaching with manga (including tips on getting course/curriculum approved and a sample curriculum), and more.
I have bought many titles for my classroom based on her reviews and am thankful for her super efforts to bring this medium to us all. She is a fierce advocate of literacy and the inclusion of Manga and presents on this topic around the country. The opening to this book speaks volumes about her passion and personal experiences with readers. The first paragraph is reason enough to purchase this book - “Readers should have access to manga in their libraries because of its emotional and epic storytelling, its unique and breathtaking artwork, its relatable and transformative stories about humanity, and the endless variety of genres, characters, conflicts, and plots found in its pages. Manga is by far the most-read medium in my library, and readers visit multiple times a day to borrow it from the collection. There is definitely no one type of manga reader; patrons of every age, gender, background, and reading level read manga. So, if readers want to read mange, your library should provide them with access to it.” WOW!!!! Such a great opening to a book that should be on every librarian’s desk. Visual literacy and connecting to how we consume media and information today. Escapism. Stress reduction. Manga allowing us to become emotionally involved with the characters, experiencing many walks of life. Empowering readers. Fostering a love for all things literacy. -These are just some of the opening salvos to why we need manga in our libraries. Each chapter provides information on resources for further reading and have served as an inspirational jumping off point for my research. I LOVE that this is a personal book from Jillian – integrating her personal experiences and joy. Other topics you will explore in Jillian’s book -
Manga 101 – history and explanation of the medium. (I really appreciated this chapter as a social studies teacher!) How to Read Manga – invaluable. Reading in this format is different than in western comics. Tips on supporting novice Manga readers and an introduction to the different genres in this medium. Ratings and warnings, depending on age level, etc.
Manga Collection Development – knowing your library, budget, and audience. Tips on how to begin a manga collection and where to begin. (This chapter included wonderful interviews with some of my favorite people – Deb Aoki and Sara Smith.) Also tips on preparing for possible challenges and ways to perhaps even stop them before they begin.
Other chapters include: Representation in Manga, Social-Emotional Learning connections and choosing manga books, manga programming for libraries (LOVE!!!!!), teaching with manga (including tips on getting course/curriculum approved and a sample curriculum), and more.
January 23, 2024
Description: Manga, which encompasses comics originating from Japan, is treasured by readers of all ages. And because of its emotional storytelling, breathtaking artwork, and relatable and transformative stories about humanity, manga is especially popular with teens. Whether you provide reference services and readers’ advisory, handle programming, or teach in the classroom, this book from manga expert Rudes will show you how to connect young readers to manga for entertainment, empowerment, and literacy.
Contents:
Acknowledgements vii
Introduction: Why Manga? ix
Chapter 1: Manga 101
Chapter 2: Manga Collection Development
Chapter 3: Representation in Manga
Chapter 4: Social-Emotional Learning and Manga
Chapter 5: Manga Programming
Chapter 6: Teaching with Manga
Conclusion: Manga Sparks Joy
APPENDIXES
Appendix A: Manga in Libraries Webinars
Appendix B: Manga Book Lists
Index
Personal Opinion:
As someone who has worked in library settings for 10 years and ran an Anime club for 2 years, I was eager to read "Manga in Libraries: A Guide for Teen Librarians" by Jillian Rudes. I have been a fan of Anime and Manga since my teens and early twenties, and I wanted to learn more about how to connect young readers to this rich and diverse medium.
I was not disappointed by this book, which offers a comprehensive and practical overview of manga, its history, genres, audiences, and publishers. Rudes also provides useful information on how to build a core manga collection, how to deal with book challenges and censorship, how to promote diverse and inclusive representation in manga, how to use manga for social-emotional learning and literacy, and how to engage teens through manga-related programming and teaching.
The book is well-written, well-researched, and well-organized, with plenty of examples, interviews, book lists, webinars, and resources to help librarians and educators. I especially appreciated the author’s passion and expertise for manga, as well as her respect and sensitivity for the cultural and artistic aspects of manga. She also addresses some of the common misconceptions and stereotypes about manga and offers tips on how to overcome them.
Manga in Libraries is a must-read for anyone who works with teens and manga, or who wants to learn more about this fascinating and popular form of visual storytelling. It is a valuable and timely guide for teen librarians, as manga continues to grow in popularity and influence among young readers. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to enrich their manga knowledge and practice.
Contents:
Acknowledgements vii
Introduction: Why Manga? ix
Chapter 1: Manga 101
Chapter 2: Manga Collection Development
Chapter 3: Representation in Manga
Chapter 4: Social-Emotional Learning and Manga
Chapter 5: Manga Programming
Chapter 6: Teaching with Manga
Conclusion: Manga Sparks Joy
APPENDIXES
Appendix A: Manga in Libraries Webinars
Appendix B: Manga Book Lists
Index
Personal Opinion:
As someone who has worked in library settings for 10 years and ran an Anime club for 2 years, I was eager to read "Manga in Libraries: A Guide for Teen Librarians" by Jillian Rudes. I have been a fan of Anime and Manga since my teens and early twenties, and I wanted to learn more about how to connect young readers to this rich and diverse medium.
I was not disappointed by this book, which offers a comprehensive and practical overview of manga, its history, genres, audiences, and publishers. Rudes also provides useful information on how to build a core manga collection, how to deal with book challenges and censorship, how to promote diverse and inclusive representation in manga, how to use manga for social-emotional learning and literacy, and how to engage teens through manga-related programming and teaching.
The book is well-written, well-researched, and well-organized, with plenty of examples, interviews, book lists, webinars, and resources to help librarians and educators. I especially appreciated the author’s passion and expertise for manga, as well as her respect and sensitivity for the cultural and artistic aspects of manga. She also addresses some of the common misconceptions and stereotypes about manga and offers tips on how to overcome them.
Manga in Libraries is a must-read for anyone who works with teens and manga, or who wants to learn more about this fascinating and popular form of visual storytelling. It is a valuable and timely guide for teen librarians, as manga continues to grow in popularity and influence among young readers. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to enrich their manga knowledge and practice.
May 3, 2024
Excellent guide for librarians or anyone new to manga. The first chapter is focused on terminology, history, and how to read (with visuals). Second and third chapters on collection development and representation in the books and the industry as artists. Chapters 4 to 6 explain the author's instructional design for manga curriculum for high school students. The concluding chapter is additional resources for continuing education all available online.
With some experience reading manga, I found this a very helpful resource. I was unaware of much of the terminology, and the visual how to read may be the best resource (worked for explaining to my kid who was interested after seeing an anime show). This is not a deep dive into the history and artistry of manga, but the author does recommend resources for that. It does offer plenty of manga recommendations, some of which are now on my TBR.
With some experience reading manga, I found this a very helpful resource. I was unaware of much of the terminology, and the visual how to read may be the best resource (worked for explaining to my kid who was interested after seeing an anime show). This is not a deep dive into the history and artistry of manga, but the author does recommend resources for that. It does offer plenty of manga recommendations, some of which are now on my TBR.
April 27, 2024
Excellent guide for educators and librarians to meaningfully and knowledgeably incorporate manga into libraries and learning. Jillian Rudes explains the basics of reading and understanding manga, tips for collection development, representation and diversity, social-emotional learning, and teaching and programming centred in manga.
I have read very little manga, but many of the students that visit my K-8 school library are excited and interested in manga and I want to support them and foster that love. Manga in Libraries was an excellent guide for me to read to gain more knowledge about manga.
I have read very little manga, but many of the students that visit my K-8 school library are excited and interested in manga and I want to support them and foster that love. Manga in Libraries was an excellent guide for me to read to gain more knowledge about manga.
December 31, 2023
A useful guide for vocabulary, basic understanding for collection development, and appreciation for manga and mangakas, the librarian from NYC writes a guide that cuts to the chase.
Recommended because it gives manga recommendations and talks about manga in connection to anime, a touch about graphic novels, and programming around it, the usefulness is real. Professional texts need to be focused and this one certainly is- no fluff and one of the other reasons I appreciate it.
Have plenty of notes!
Recommended because it gives manga recommendations and talks about manga in connection to anime, a touch about graphic novels, and programming around it, the usefulness is real. Professional texts need to be focused and this one certainly is- no fluff and one of the other reasons I appreciate it.
Have plenty of notes!
July 23, 2023
It's important to recognise the importance of Manga in the reading experience of teens.
A book I am sure to dip into again and again.
A book I am sure to dip into again and again.
June 29, 2024
4.5stars Very informative, lots of good programming ideas, book recommendations, and expert insights.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews