This star means that the title or site is recommended especially for younger teens

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As the creator of NFNT as well as in my capacity working as the Teen Librarian in Brookline, MA, I've been lucky enough to build a solid knowledge of graphic novels, their place in libraries, and all the ins and outs of how to create and maintain a collection. Working to help my fellow librarians maintain Children's, Teen, and Adult graphic novel collections has been educational and challenging, and I've been lucky to have the opportunity to stretch to cover all of the age ranges and audiences. The website has led to my membership on the American Library Association and Young Adult Library Services Association (ALA/YALSA) Graphic Novel Task Force, as well as current membership on the Great Graphic Novels for Teens Selection List Committee. My own interest in manga and anime has allowed me to create and run a library club for these media, and both the teen members and being a Japanese Anime reviewer for Video Librarian keeps me on my toes. I have synthesized all of my experience concerning manga and anime in libraries and written a guide, Understanding Manga and Anime, from Libraries Unlimited. In 2007, I had the great honor of serving as a judge for the prestigious Will Eisner Awards.

I have presented a number of workshops and presentations locally and further afield. I participate in panel presentations, give solo presentations, including 15-minute summaries of the recent, hot titles for teens in the format, three hour presentations on the nitty gritty details, and classes that ranged from a week to a month long. I greatly enjoy teaching online continuing education workshops on graphic novels and manga for Simmons College. I can tailor each workshop for the audience, from graphic novels for kids and schools to focusing in on manga and anime. I am also currently working on graphic novels, manga and literacy, as well as their connections to technology and fan communities (a giant topic unto itself).

At this point I have also presented numerous workshops, most of them on the history of Japanes Manga and Anime, for teens themselves across the country.

The History of Manga and Anime for teens covers

• the long history of the art form in Japan, why and how it's different from Western comics
• examples of manga from its beginning onward
• current titles and trends with everyone
• screening popular and new anime

I enjoy doing evening programs and can also do weekend programs. I
can also present programs during the day depending on my schedule.

I have presented for:

• The Boston Public Library System, Boston, MA
• Central Massachusetts Regional Library System (CMRLS)
• Granite Bay Library, Sacramento, CA
• The Massachusetts Library Association (MLA) Annual Conference 2004, 2005, 2007
• Metrowest Massachusetts Regional Library System (MMRLS)
• New England Library Association (NELA) Annual Conference 2004, 2005
• New Hampshire Library Association Annual Conference 2007
• NCCAT (North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching) Seminar, March 2007
• Western Massachusetts Regional Library System (WMRLS)
• ALA/YALSA Midwinter Conference 2006
• ALA/YALSA Midwinter Conference 2007
• ALA/YALSA Annual Conerence 2007

If you or your institution is interested in a clear and enthusiastic presentation on anything and everything related to graphic novels, please feel free to contact me with details.

Calendar of Presentations

My Curriculum Vitae