July 18-21, 2019
The GNCRT is hosting two days of events for Comic-Con International: San Diego.
Thursday, July 18th, 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Comic Conference for Educators and Librarians (CCEL)
Register here: https://www.sandiego.gov/ccel
Join us at the San Diego Public Library Central Library for a full day of library panels as part of the 4th annual Comic Conference for Educators and Librarians (CCEL). Sessions include an opening keynote by members from the new GNCRT board plus sessions on comics & community organizing and collection development. Doors open at 9am -- and there will be swag! CCEL is free to attend (no SDCC badge required), but space is limited and registration is required for each day. [*SDCC badge-holders with valid single same-day or four-day badges are welcome to attend and are not required to register]
**See below for complete schedule.**
Sunday, July 21, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Comics, Coffee & Conversation
For more information, please visit https://comiccon2019.sched.com/event/Rssz.
Join creators Danielle Colman (The Unfinished Corner), Jason Lutes (Berlin) and Brian Schirmer (Fairlady); educators including John Shableski (UDON/Manga Classics); retailer Rachel Parker (SoCal Games & Comics); comics librarians including host Moni Barrette (Chula Vista Public Library) and fellow comics enthusiasts for fandom conversations over coffee! Topics will range from how graphic novels are used in education, how diversity is spreading in the comics community and information about the new Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table of the American Library Association. Special thanks to BOOM! Studios for providing coffee.
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Thursday, July 18, 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. CCEL at San Diego Public Library
Room: Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library
10:00–11:00 Comics State of the Union: The Blue Age of Comics, the Rise of Kamala Khan, and Comics Librarianship
Meet the first president of the newly formed American Library Association Graphic Novels and Comics Roundtable, Amie Wright, as she discusses the state of comics librarianship and where we are headed. Then take part in a lively discussion with members of the new GNCRT board about the current wins and challenges of comics and libraries. With Monica Barrette, Candice Mack, and Brittany Netherton.
11:00–12:00 Reading and Raising Our Voices: From Comics to Community Organizing
Hear from creators who have tapped the graphic medium to record the history and experiences of marginalized peoples, to take control of their own narratives, and to inspire a new generation of activists, as well as from librarians crafting large-scale initiatives around comics that focus on historically underrepresented communities. With Chloe Ramos, Ezra Claytan Daniels, Candice Mack, Maia Kobabe, and Henry Barajas.
12:00–1:00 Comics and Libraries Lightning Round
Learn about a variety of different topics in comics librarianship in these 10-minute lightning round sessions! Featuring Brittany Netherton, Knowledge and Learning Services Librarian, Darien Library; Jillian Ehlers, School Librarian, Metropolitan Expeditionary Learning School; Corinda Humphrey, Young Adult Librarian III; Erik Jackiw, YA Librarian, City of Commerce Public Library.
1:00–2:00 Table Talks
Come and see various programs and initiatives librarians have successfully offered communities using comics and pop culture to increase literacy and build community connections! With Melanie Pentecost, Los Angeles Public Library; Anna-Marie Farquhar, Los Angeles Public Library; Emily Ratica, Arroyo Valley High School; Matthew Tabizon; Erik Jackiw, City of Commerce Public Library; Scott Gurolla, City of Commerce Public Library; Victoria Perez, Librarian; Concepcion Flores, City of Commerce Public Library; Robert Gunderson, Long Beach Public Library; Hanako Redrick, Long Beach Public Library; Lyle Brogden,cosplayer and actor; Nik Lillard, cast member at Disneyland, writer and cosplayer.
2:00–3:00 Book Fights!
Librarians from all around San Diego come together to battle over topics like: "Lord of the Rings vs. Game of Thrones," "Best Manga Series," "Marvel vs. DC," "Best YA Series," and more! These fun interactions will lead to the audience deciding on which Librarians are the most "Lit" of all! Modeled after the "Movie Fights!" series, six librarian's will have fun 5-10 minute discussions on whether (X) is better than (Y) and have the audience decide who made the best argument for their picks. They'll cover the topics of comic books, manga, fantasy, and more. With Lydia Bringerud (San Diego Public Library), Vanessa Gempis (San Diego Public Library), Bill Sannwald (San Diego County Library), and Christina Wainwright.
3:00 - 4:00 #ComicsForAll: Collection Development and Readers Advisory
Did you know that most comics don’t get reviewed in professional journals? Or that most libraries don’t have separate budgets for buying comics? Join librarians, specialists, and educators as they share their tips and tricks for building mindful, accessible, intersectional, and locally relevant collections for readers of all ages in a range of formats from zines to webcomics to collected volumes. Hear their favorite comics (and why), their tools for buying and evaluating quality comics (including award lists like the Eisners), and their suggestions for what to read next! With Alea Perez, Andrew Woodrow-Butcher, Victoria Alvarado, Vincent (Vincey) Zalkind, Danielle Thomsen, Carla Riemer.
4:00–5:00 Will Eisner: Graphic Novels and the Opportunity for Retailers, Educators, and Librarians to Join Forces for the Greater Good
As the number of graphic novels continues to gain momentum, so, too, does the opportunity to create new partnerships between teachers, librarians, and retailers. How do we, as a community harness this moment? What sort of possibilities does this bring? Come for this insightful conversation on the new frontiers that are rapidly opening up for our community. Moderator: John Shableski (Will and Ann Eisner Family Foundation/UDON Entertainment). Panelists: Monica Barrette (librarian); Jewel Clark (educator); Derek Heid (educator); Tio Lavranos (retailer); Tina Lerno (librarian); Rachel Parker (retailer).
5:00–6:00 Will Eisner: Defending Comics/Graphic Novels as “Real Reading”
As the market for graphic novels continues to explode, especially in the educational space, the need for these conversations remains at the highest level. Parents and administrators are still fighting the concept of using comics as literature and the educators on this panel have excellent methods for solving and diffusing these challenging moments. Moderated by John Shableski, panelists include Erin Hill, Lisa Harrison, Joe Onks, Nichole Santangelo, and Amy Pitotti.
6:00–7:00 Fake News!: Propaganda Throughout Pop Culture
J. D. Lombardi (host/producer, YouTube’s Lombardi Labs and middle school science teacher, Glendale Unified) along with Justin Montgomery (comedian, Mental Xhaustion Podcast), Guadalupe De La O (STEM teacher/science instructional coach, Alliance Schools), and G. L. Lambert (screenwriter, author of Solving Single), will trace propaganda used by characters throughout comics, films, and shows that demonstrate how it correlates to the current climate of “alternative facts.” Teaching science literacy in and out of the classroom is more crucial now than ever, and the panelist invite educators and fans of the arts alike to join in on a Q&A session targeted at science literacy and how to debunk pseudoscience.