A new graphic novel award for libraries, named after format progenitor Will Eisner, will debut at this week’s American Library Association Annual Conference in Anaheim, California. As reported in a post on The Beat, the three winning libraries “will each receive a selection of books nominated for the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, a $2,000 voucher to purchase more GNs, and a $1,000 stipend to hold author events.”
According to the press release from the Will & Ann Eisner Family Foundation, each library will also receive Eisner’s complete works, bringing the value of the prize package to approximately $4,000. Foundation President Carl Gropper says the new prizes are intended to show appreciation for the support of librarians and libraries over the years:
We developed this prize as a way to emphasize not only Will Eisner’s contributions to the comics industry, but to also recognize the important role that librarians have played in the phenomenal growth of the graphic novel category. While Will Eisner helped to create the foundation for graphic novels, librarians have championed the benefits of the graphic novel format and the comics medium to the world’s readers.
The winning libraries will be chosen in a random drawing. Librarians attending ALA Annual may register to win at booth #788 (Reading With Pictures/Will & Ann Eisner Family Foundation). The three winners will be announced at 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 24, on the Graphic Novel Stage.
Maren Williams is a reference librarian who enjoys free speech and rescue dogs.