![]() All libraries have to do is what they’ve always done: nurture a love of reading through recommendations, reader’s advisories, and by creating programming that connects people.Ĭreate a specific space on the main library website for recommended webcomics, perhaps with some focus on age and themes so parents can better decide what to help their children read.Ĭreate online programming that gets teens together in a comic book reading club that also focuses webcomics. They already have the technology needed to access online comics. Many young readers have access to the internet either through a phone, a PC/laptop, or a tablet. But that might be one reason why online platforms like Webtoons could be so important right now. ![]() Webcomics and Libraries – Why and How?ĭue to the pandemic, It’s understandable that libraries are limited on programming and what they can offer young readers. Additionally, because they’re comics they offer a visual spectacle that so many kids and teens are drawn to. It’s a platform that encourages regular reading in an easy and free form of access. Many in the Unites States, reading English and coming back every week when their favorite comic updates and they receive a notification on their phone. These are millions of readers, many of them young, reading online comics. Cursed Princess Club, number 4 on the platform (and my favorite online comic at the moment), has 1.8 million readers and subscribers. The most popular on the platform is Lore Olympus at 4.8 million subscribed readers. Regardless, a large number of people in the age groups of teens, 20s, and 30s are reading them. (I can attest to the subcategory as I’ve read some of the more popular ones and they definitely have a romance tone.) It’s possible authors are choosing not list their comics as romance because Webtoons only allows one genre, because they don’t want to compete for top spots in the popular categories, because they don’t like the stereotypes associated with the romance genre and would rather not limit themselves, or a combination of all three. Romance looks to be the most popular even as an unlisted subcategory of the fantasy and supernatural ones. These stories are written in a plethora of genres, but the most popular ones seem to fall into the romance, fantasy, and supernatural categories. (Speaking as someone over 30 who loves online comics, I can attest to that at least.) ![]() Surprisingly, according to Webtoons (the website) readers over 30 are frequent as well. They’re made for all ages, but many of them appear to attract those readers between the ages of 10 and well into their 20s. Many are only on their own platforms that can be accessed on a PC or cell phone, some are on websites created by the comic author and artist, and, some still make their way into tangible book form or onto ereader devices. Webcomics, online comics, internet comics-whatever you would like to call them-are comics that exist on the internet, and almost exclusively at that. Reading is important-period, and, webcomics could help librarians and libraries get more young people reading. You can find more through many a simple online search as I did, but I would argue that one hardly needs a reason to help people-especially young people-learn to love the written word. And in general, libraries organize books and create spaces for young readers to make it easier for them to find that love of reading.īut if you need convincing on why reading and literacy is important, offers 11(cited) facts about reading and literacy here. They offer storytimes and Battle of Books to stimulate a love of reading at a young age well into high school. Librarians use what’s called a readers’ advisory to help figure out what books a given patron/user wants even when they aren’t totally certain themselves. Libraries across the United States encourage reading and literacy through programs, events, and even simple displays. I think it’s fair to assert that having the skills to read and read well are important. You can pay for more access, but that’s not relevant here in terms of literacy and access for young readers. ![]() This is not just because I use Webtoons myself, but also because it is one of the few free online webcomic subscription services. Note: Because I’m going to be focusing on Webtoons over other platforms, the numbers, data, and information I use in this article will be from them unless stated otherwise.
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