Week 13 Prompt

As librarians, it is not our job to judge what people should or should not be reading or what is appropriate.   If there is demand for young adult, new adult, or graphic literature for adults, then we need to meet that need in our library.  As a 43-year old woman, I enjoy reading young adult novels, and have read the occasional graphic novel.  I enjoy the novels, but would read them anyway because I want to know what young people are reading and don’t want to become disconnected from the trends and ideas of people younger than I am.  Further, I don’t really enjoy graphic novels but will read the occasional one for the same reason.  I want to understand why people like them and what the genre is about.  It is fun to discuss books with my 14-year old nephew and exchange reading experiences and book suggestions!

At the library where I work, we have new adult books, young adult books and graphic fiction.  The new adult books are filed alongside adult fiction and are not identified by genre.  Young adult books are primarily filed in the teen zone, although extremely popular ones have a copy in adult (this is very rare).  There is a section of graphic novels in the teen zone and another in adult.  I think some adults are embarrassed about enjoying these genres and hesitate to ask for assistance, especially in regard to young adult novels. 

Readers’ advisory brochures for each of these categories would be helpful in providing assistance to patrons who are reluctant to ask for assistance.  In addition, upon finding brochures on these topics, they will be more inclined to ask for assistance. Further, many libraries have book clubs for adults who enjoy reading young adult novels.  This is a great way for adults to share their love of YA novels and discuss with other adults.   

Another issue with the young adult novels is that they are filed in the teenzone and I think many adults are hesitant to browse the shelves in that area which is designated for teens.  I don’t know how this can be reconciled because it is not a popular enough medium to shelve titles in both adult and teen (with some exceptions).  However, I believe that the readers’ advisory brochures will make adults more comfortable with this. 

I think it is the job of librarians to provide materials and programs that meet the needs and interests of their patrons.  Personally, I feel that there is great value in adults of all ages reading children’s, teen and new adult books.  It encourages an understanding of those that are different from oneself in much the same way reading a book from someone of a different nationality or culture does.