Week 13 Prompt: YA, Graphic Novels, and Street Lit

Question to Consider:  Though this week's group of "genres" all seem very different, they all have in common the fact that many people don't feel that they are legitimate literary choices and libraries shouldn't be spending money on them or promoting them to adults.  How can we as librarians, work to ensure that we are able to serve adults who enjoy YA literature, graphic novels, and street lit? Or should we?

My Thoughts:   I’ve really had to wrestle with myself this week over this response, because there is a part of me (don’t hate me, please!) that does wish the whole world was reading Jane Austen, John Steinbeck, and Leo Tolstoy.  But that isn’t because I think badly of street lit, graphic novels, or YA books.  It’s because think so highly of many classic works of fiction and have such an appetite for them.

It’s not easy to be this honest, because I’m afraid of alienating people or being called a literary snob.  I read a wide range of genres and writing styles.  I devoured The Hunger Games series and actually sent an enthusiastic fan-email to Gene Luen Yang a few years ago after reading American Born Chinese (see “The Highwater Review” blog for a great annotation J).  But in my heart of hearts, I’d almost always rather be reading Charles Dickens.  That’s just my thing.  I shouldn't have to cringe and apologize for it any more than street lit or graphic novel readers.  But I always feel like admitting a love for classic lit will make me seem hoity-toity.  (Using the term “hoity-toity” in a blog probably just exacerbates the snooty image.  Oy!)

However, reading is such a priority in my life, such a pleasure in my life, such a NECESSITY in my life that I can’t imagine any reason to discourage patrons from reading what they like regardless of the genre.  I’ll read whatever you put in front of me.  In a pinch, I’ve been known to read cereal boxes, political tracts, or even (gasp!) user’s manuals.  I’m sure a lot of my fellow SLIS students fall into this category, and I don’t think any of us will go out into the world and shame a patron who wants to check out a title by Sister Souljah or Stephenie Meyer.

I know that there was an era when librarians did assume some responsibility for shaping a reader’s literary development.  Today, I think the responsibility lies instead with shaping our own literary development.  It can be valuable to have at least some experience and knowledge of a wide variety of genres, styles, and formats.  Keeping abreast of publishing trends, reading tastes, and new technologies can enhance the effectiveness of readers’ advisory services.

And since I tend to preach on the subject of talking about books, I’ll add that I think talking to readers about the authors and genres they love can provide librarians with insights into appeals we might personally be missing.

Now if you’ll forgive me for my literary snobbery, I’ll go back to reading my latest work of high-brow, quality fiction, Pride and Prejudice . . . and Zombies.