Hello fellow GNCRT and GameRT members,
After 5 years the American Library Association is headed back to C2E2 (Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo) and we are hoping you will join us!
[More information attached as a PDF]
GNCRT / GameRT has three sponsored panels on Friday April 11th at C2E2 and ALA will have have a booth on the Con floor all weekend long:
(1) Be Prepared! The Library Guide to Addressing Comic Book Bans and Challenges
Friday, April 11th > 2:00 – 3:00 PM, Room N137
In the last five years schools and libraries have experienced the highest number of bans to comics and other visual materials since the 1950s. Learn about the Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table (GNCRT) Toolkit on Preparing For & Addressing Comic Book Bans, Censorship, and Challenges in Libraries. Plus, hear more about the GNCRT Community Zine Project to fight comics censorship and other tools and resources available around material, book display, and programming challenges. Remember, you are not alone. Our panel will help you to Be Prepared, Fight Comics Censorship, and Live to Library Another Day! Panel sponsored by ALA GNCRT
(2) Ask A (Comics) Librarian!
Friday, April 11th > 3:30 – 4:30 PM, Room N137
Did you know that comics librarianship is over 50 years old? Or that libraries have championed graphic novels as 'real reading' for just as long? Hear from real life library workers what comics librarianship looks like in their professional practice and how comics librarianship can help bolster graphic novel sales and growth, and what comics - for kids, for teens, and for adults - librarians are reading and recommending. Panel sponsored by ALA GNCRT
(3) Games Connect the Dots Between Libraries and Patrons
Friday, April 11th > 5:00 – 6:00 PM, Room N137
Learn how libraries can use games for library instruction, outreach, and programming! This session will guide participants through the important questions to ask when planning programming around games to support your library's goals and mission. We will discuss strategies for getting buy-in from administrators for building programming, instruction, and events around your game collection, and pursuing partnership opportunities between library types and community groups and organizations to strengthen community connections. Panel sponsored by ALA GameRT
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Join the EPIC Library Photo!
Friday, April 11th > 4:45 – 4:50 PM, Meet at the ALA Booth
Applications for FREE Friday Professional Badges are still open on the C2E2 website - applications close this Friday March 28th at 5pm CT.
Given that it's our first trip back to C2E2 since 2020, what are some things you would like to see talked about in the panels?
Also, we may be looking for a last minute panelist or two for the sessions so please let us know if you are interested / available!
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ALA at C2E2 Stop by the ALA booth all three days of C2E2!
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday April 11-13, 2025
Need assistance with your world building? Looking for something new to read? Looking to take a library selfie? Stop by the ALA Booth! We'll have library workers staffing the booth all weekend who specialize in comics, games, and advocacy work right there on the Comic Con floor! Stop by, say hi, and take a library selfie!
United in Comics, Games, and Libraries,
Amie
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Amie Wright (she/her)
Former President (2019-2020), Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table (GNCRT)
Current Executive Director, Toronto Comic Arts Festival (TCAF)
@librarylandia on Bluesky
aedwright@gmail.com------------------------------