Creating a Public Library Anime Collection

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  Some anime and mange inspires plenty of fan-art, called "dojinshi."Angry one image by AirMan from Fotolia.com
  
  Learn the basic terminology. This will help you select the most appropriate materials, as well as chat knowledgeably with any interested patrons. For instance, according to the Librarian's Guide to Anime, "anime" refers to Japanese animation, typically TV shows or movies. Some movies are "OVA," which means Original Video Animation. These movies go straight to video, and are often specialized. "Manga" refers to graphic novels or comic books.
  
  
• 2). Recognize and appreciate cultural differences. Although in the Western world, younger children tend to be the audience for animation and comic books, the same is not always true in Japan. According to the Librarian's Guide to Anime and Manga, when you develop a collection for your library, be sure to consider which age-group the anime or manga targets. Some potential problems include violence, nudity, sexual content, or smoking and drinking. Be careful not to shelve all anime and manga in the juvenile or YA section, when the material may be adult.
  
  
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  You can also ask patrons themselves to offer feedback to get a larger sense of the anime world.manga image by tomdoe5 from Fotolia.com
  
  Refer to a variety of sources to find the right material for your library. If you are not an anime fan yourself, it may be hard to know which titles are popular and will be right for your library collection. According to the Librarian's Guide to Anime and Manga, although general review sources are starting to include more reviews of anime and manga, you may need to seek out specialized review sources. Reading anime magazines or finding online anime and manga resources can give a sense of what patrons would like to see on the shelves.
  
  
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  An anime club at your public library can help teens come together in a cross-cultural way.laughing teens image by Andrey Kiselev from Fotolia.com
  
  Encourage participation and socializing. While it's a wonderful first step to include anime and manga on your shelves, the public library is also a perfect place for anime clubs to gather and meet. This activity can create a stronger bond between the library and the community. According to librarian Kevin Ferst at Alfred-Omega, anime club meetings could include a viewing of an anime movie or TV series, snacks, discussions, or even raffles with small prizes. Anime clubs can foster literacy and creativity, and bring local teens together in a positive way.