"They're So Stinkin' Popular, How Could You Say No?" Graphic Novel Collection Development and School Librarian Self-Censorship.

Graphic novels are one of the most popular formats of literature that circulate in school libraries today; however, the high demand for these books may leave librarians scrambling to purchase new graphic novels to fulfill the needs of their patrons. The researchers interviewed 20 school librarians working in elementary and middle schools in the southeastern United States to better understand their collection development practices with regard to graphic novels. They found that the librarians' collection development practices and familiarity with regard to graphic novels differed from that of traditional novels and that the participants often engaged in self-censorship in the selection and maintenance of their graphic novel collections. Reasons for engaging in self-censorship are discussed, as well as additional censorship-related issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]