The Impact of Adult Graphic Novel Placement on Circulation in Public and Academic Libraries

Despite their increasing popularity, adult graphic novels remain a highly misunderstood resource. This study was intended to determine whether placing graphic novels in certain locations would impact their circulation. The underlying assumption was that exposure to graphic novels would lead to a greater amount of circulations as adults unfamiliar with graphic novels would be more willing to pick them up when viewed more easily. Four academic libraries and six public libraries were asked to provide yearly and total circulation numbers of 38 bestselling adult graphic novels. All academic libraries and five public libraries responded. It was found that adult graphic novels that were given their own section circulated more frequently both yearly and for all time than those interfiled with child or young adult graphic novels or non graphic resources. Graphic novels that were not placed in a prominent location were also checked out more frequently for all time than those that were located in a prominent location.Master of Science in Library Scienc