To the instruction cave, librarian!: Graphic novels and information literacy
Presented at the 37th LOEX Annual Conference April 30- May 2, 2009 Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Abstract
Graphic novels emerged as highly visible additions to many academic library collections over the last few years. Much has been written about the pedagogical value of graphic novels in K-12 settings, but their potential applications in relation to information literacy in higher education have not been seriously addressed. Graphic novels provide an ideal backdrop for teaching students a variety of skills, especially with regard to the ACRL’s Information Literacy Competency Standard Three and visual literacy. In addition, graphic novels are excellent source material for projects that require students to conduct research, evaluate source quality, engage in reflective writing, compare versions of a single work across multiple media, and investigate the relationship between historical events or people and their depictions in artistic representations.