'Comic Books 101' Comes to Murrieta Library

With a break in homework, teens are invited to a fun winter break activity at the Murrieta Library.

Sixth- through 12th-graders who are interested in the evolution of comics; when they began, and how they became popular to what is currently popular can participate in an interactive program with Ryan Haggerty, owner of in Murrieta. 

The program, "Comic Books 101," will be held at 2 p.m. Jan. 5 in the Library's Community Room.

Graphic novels--the new term for comics--have become an essential component of library collections for both children and teenagers, according to a library news release.

“We even have some classic titles in our graphic novel collections at the Murrieta Public Library, such as King Lear, The Odyssey, and The Invisible Man, along with our popular Superman, Wolverine, and Dragon Ball Z titles," said Teen Librarian Joyce Lea Brown.

"Since the popularity of graphic novels just keeps on growing, the Murrieta Public Library has scheduled a program that is relevant to today’s teenagers.”

Brown points out that Jon Sciezska, a well-known children’s author and the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature for the Library of Congress, promoted the use of educational comics at “Graphica in Education: Graphic Novels Come Out from Under the Desk.”

Held on Jan. 31, 2009, it was the first academic conference examining graphic novels, co-sponsored by the Graduate School of Education at Fordham University and Diamond Distributors.

“Our mission is to tap into what kids already love...comics. With graphic novels, we don’t have to promote [the idea] that reading is magic," Sciezska said.

Other educational experts at the conference agreed with Sciezska’s view that comics deserve equal footing with traditional text novels and children’s books as a tool to help children achieve literacy, Brown said.

"Comic Books 101" is free and open to the public. The is located at Eight Town Square (Adams Avenue and Kalmia Street). For more information about the program call 951-304-BOOK (2665) or visit the Library’s website at www.murrietalibrary.info.