Comic Conference for Educators and Librarians: Library Panels

It's the library-focused day of the Comic Conference for Educators and Librarians (CCEL)! Below is the current schedule of today's programs.

***We will also have cool swag for attendees, so register now to save your seat!***

10:00 AM, Border Narratives: Voices from Beyond the Wall -- Latinx comics professionals discuss their work and their experiences living in a time of resurgent nationalism and a countrywide obsession with borders, both physical and psychological. Topics will include the current state of Latinx characters in comics, the importance of diverse creators and the question of representative authenticity, and how comics creators can partner with libraries to provide the best access to books and community programming from outside the monoculture. Speakers are Johnnie Christmas (Firebug, Angel Catbird), Marco Finnegan (Crossroad Blues), Ricardo Padilla (executive director and co-founder of the Latino Comics Expo), Zeke Peña (illustrator at The Nib, Photographic: The Life of Graciela Iturbide), and Isabel Quintero (Gabi, A Girl in Pieces, Photographic: The Life of Graciela Iturbide). Moderated by Chloe Ramos-Peterson (library market sales representative at Image Comics).

11:00 AM, Beyond Wakanda: Intersectional Afrofuturism -- Afrofuturism is a Black aesthetic, philosophical, and artistic movement that dates to the mid 20th century; its influences can be seen most recently in Ryan Coogler’s depiction of Wakanda, a place of super science, spiritual communion, and geopolitical influence predicated not on closeness to colonial nodes of power, but autonomy from them. This panel digs deep into the cultural archive of Afrofuturism to connect the broad audience of popular films like Black Panther to historical resources related to Afrofuturism, especially the work of Octavia Butler. Using records related to Butler’s works of fiction and her life in Southern California, this panel uses zine making as a bridge between scholarly and popular archives, between the study of technology and Afrofuturism, and between LIS professionals and broader audiences. Participants will learn to use zines for audience engagement and will gain exposures to an abbreviated history of Afrofuturism in Southern California featuring Octavia Butler. Panelists: Kelly Besser (Archivist, UCLA Library Special Collections), Roderic Crooks (Assistant Professor of Informatics, UC Irvine), Dalena Hunter (Librarian, Bunche Center for African American Studies, UCLA), and Shani Miller (Metadata and Digital Processing Coordinator, UCLA Ethnomusicology Archive)

12:00 PM,  If You Build It They Will Come: Strategies for Successful Adult Graphic Novel Collection Development in Public Libraries -- Comics are for Everyone - yet far too often adult graphic novels are relegated to teen sections, resigned to standing order plans, and unconsidered when planning programming. That needs to change. This panel will provide practical approaches to building high quality graphic novel collection for adults - and targeting and increasing advocacy about why adult graphic novels are needed in every library. Topics will include: suggestions for overcoming the unique challenges of creating and maintaining adult graphic novel collections; how to ""sell"" this collection to stakeholders (have an elevator pitch!); suggested titles to purchase to start and grow your collection; and resources for readers advisory and advocacy support. No more restrictions on reading - let’s embrace comics for everyone! Panelists: Monica Barrette (Senior Librarian, Adult Services, Escondido Public Library), Cassidy Charles (Digital Services Librarian, Santa Barbara Public Library), Marcela Peres (Library Director, Lewiston Public Library), Amie Wright (Library Manager, Edmonton Public Library).

1:00 PM, Comics and Libraries Fair -- Come and take a look at how exciting programming, collection development methods, and best practices for literacy and engagement using comics and pop culture have successfully benefitted communities. Meet the librarians who have discovered the power and accessibility of comics and fandoms to help people learn and connect in new and highly effective ways, from Star Wars events to using comics to connect with underserved populations. Go here for the complete list of Fair topics: https://www.sandiego.gov/comics-fair

2:00 PM, Queer Comics for Queer Kids -- Libraries are often safe spaces for teens who find it hard to fit in elsewhere. This includes queer teens. It is important to keep collections that reflect these teens, both so that they can find themselves in fiction, just as we all should, and so that their peers can see them normalized. It’s also important to know how to market these items, they help no one if they simply gather dust on the shelf! Presenters will talk about queer comics and manga, how they’ve affected them personally, why they’re important to library collections, and some recommendations to start you off right. Speakers are Vincent Zalkind (North Hollywood Branch, Los Angeles Public Library), Kelly Quinn Chiu (Santa Clara City Library), Angela Ocana (Eugene Public Library), Steenz (Lion Forge Comics). Moderated by Kathryn Kania (Pelham Public Library, New Hampshire).

3:00 PM, Truth, Social Justice and the Academic Library Way: Comics In Academic Libraries -- Academic libraries have often used scholarship and curriculum support as means to justify collecting comics and graphic novels. However, these items often get lost in the greater academic collections and these “hidden” collections often go unused. Three academic librarians have taken a different approach to utilizing graphic novels and comics as means for community engagement and to encourage a culture of reading. Topics covered include developing a social justice themed comic collection and a physical space in the library for comics and graphics novels, encouraging a comic culture to underserved populations, and strategies for outreach and engagement using comics and graphic novels. From this panel, attendees will learn that comics can be used as an outreach tool for deeper community engagement, can lead to a broader user base for libraries, and can help support campus conversations on diversity and inclusion. Panelists are Kai Alexis Smith (Subject Librarian, Cal Poly Pomona), Brinna Pam Anan (Metadata Management Librarian, Cal Poly Pomona), Bethany Herman Public Services Librarian, Houston Community College), and Jennifer Crispin (Public Services Librarian, Houston Community College)

4:00 PM, Creator Panel: When I See Myself In Comics -- This panel is a conversation with authors/creators about the discoveries that come after the book is published and released into the world. What are the biggest surprises that come from readers who identify with their work? What sort of impact does this have on how they, as creatives, perceive the original work? What sort of stories did they read that had a profound impact on how they write and why they choose the stories they tell? Join the conversation as these talented creators talk about the moments that can make a book all worth while. Featuring Sebastian Kadllecik (Quince), Christina 'Steenz' Stewart (Archival Quality), Jenni and Matt Holm (Baby Mouse), Dana Simpson (Phoebe and Her Unicorn), and Sina Grace (The Li'l Depressed Boy). Moderated by Colleen Bement.

5:00 PM - 6:30 PM, The Image Comics Educator & Librarian Mixer -- Presenting the Image Comics Educator and Librarian Mixer! This free-to-attend event is for attendees of the Comic Conference for Educators and Librarians. This is a fun opportunity for professionals in the teaching and library fields with an interest in comics to come together to network and share in their love of the popular arts during Comic-Con! Featuring a no-host beer & wine bar and light hors d'oeuvres. Must be 21+ with ID to purchase beer & wine. Space is limited. Sponsored by Image Comics and the Friends of the Central Library. Registration is required: http://sandiego.librarymarket.com/image-comics-educator-library-mixer

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This is part of the 3rd annual Comic Conference for Educators and Librarians! Comic-Con International and San Diego Public Library have teamed up once again for this FREE five-day conference, which takes place during Comic-Con from July 18 - 22 at the Central Library. Through presentations and panel discussions, CCEL explores the role comics play in promoting education, engagement, and literacy for all ages. Library professionals and educators are invited to learn creative and exciting ways to incorporate comics and graphic novels into their work.

CCEL is free to attend, but space is limited and registration is required for each day. Comic-Con badge-holders with valid single same-day or four-day badges are welcome to attend and are not required to register.