Great news for Ypsilanti District Library, Michigan, and Lewis and Clack Library in Helena, Montana—both libraries have received grants from the Will and Ann Eisner Family Foundation for their graphic novel collections and programming. The American Library Association (ALA) and the foundation announced the two winners of the first Will Eisner Graphic Novel Grants for Libraries Saturday on-site at the ALA 2014 Annual Conference in Las Vegas.
The Will Eisner Graphic Novel Grants for Libraries consists of two annual grants. The Will Eisner Graphic Novel Growth Grant provides support to a library that would like to expand its existing graphic novel services and programs and the Will Eisner Graphic Novel Innovation Grant provides support to a library for the initiation of a graphic novel service, program or initiative.
The 2014 Will Eisner Graphic Novel Growth Grant was presented to Ypsilanti District Library. Their project “Graphic Novels in Healthcare: An Opportunity for Growth” expands their medical graphic novel collection and offers programs where healthcare professionals and careers learn how graphic novels and comics can help with patient treatment and recovery. The 2014 Will Eisner Graphic Novel Innovation Grant was presented to Lewis & Clark Library, Helena, Mont., for their project “Graphically Yours.” Their project includes the development of a graphic novel collection and a month-long slate of special graphic novel and comic programs to engage their patrons.
Each of the grants awards the winning libraries with a $2,000 voucher to purchase graphic novels from the distributor-partner—Brodart, $1,000 to host a graphic novel-themed event, and a $1,000 stipend to attend the 2014 ALA Annual Conference in Las Vegas. Additionally the winners will receive the Will Eisner Library (a graphic novel collection of Will Eisner’s work and biographies about acclaimed writer and artist) and copies of the graphic novels nominated for this year’s Will Eisner Awards at San Diego Comic-Con.
The grants, funded by Will and Ann Eisner Family Foundation, are administered by ALA’s Games and Gaming Round Table and the Graphic Novels & Comics in Libraries Member Initiative Group. ALA received more than 75 applications.