Libraries are invited to apply for the 2022 Will Eisner Graphic Novel Grants for Libraries

The Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table (GNCRT) of ALA and the Will and Ann Eisner Family Foundation are pleased to announce the opening of the 2022 Will Eisner Graphic Novel Grants for Libraries grant cycle. These grants recognize libraries for their role in the growth of graphic literature and awards funds and resources for graphic novel collection development and programming and are open to libraries and institutions across North America.

Through these grants, the GNCRT and the Will and Ann Eisner Family Foundation seek to continue to extend graphic novels into new realms by encouraging public awareness about the rise and importance of graphic literature and honoring the legacy and creative excellence of Will Eisner. For a career that spanned nearly eight decades - from the dawn of the comic book to the advent of digital comics - Will Eisner is recognized as the "Champion of the Graphic Novel."

Three grants will be awarded: two recipients will receive Will Eisner Graphic Novel Growth Grants which provide support to libraries that would like to expand their existing graphic novel collection, services, and programs; and one recipient will receive the Will Eisner Graphic Novel Innovation Grant which provides support to a library for the initiation of a new graphic novel service or program. Recipients each receive a $4,000 programming and collection development grant. In addition, the winners will also receive a collection of Will Eisner's works and biographies as well as a selection of winning titles from the 2022 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards at Comic-Con International. The grant also includes a travel stipend for a library representative to travel to the 2022 ALA Annual Conference in Washington, DC where they will also receive recognition from the Will and Ann Eisner Family Foundation at the annual Will Eisner Graphic Novel Grants Reception. The applying librarian or their institution must be an ALA member to be eligible and the grants are open to libraries across North America, including Canada and Mexico.

The Will Eisner Graphic Novel Grants for Libraries are administered by the Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table. GNCRT President, Matthew Noe said of the grants, "Each year, thanks to the generosity of the Will and Ann Eisner Family Foundation, we at GNCRT are lucky to facilitate not only the growth of existing comics programming, but also support innovative new approaches by offering funding through the Will Eisner Graphic Novel Grants for Libraries. In past years, awardees have done everything from hosting creators to help young patrons create their own comics, to building one of the earliest graphic medicine collections, to bringing comics to incarcerated readers. The sky is the limit and I cannot wait to see what this year's applicants have in mind!"

The application and information about the Will Eisner Graphic Novel Grants for Libraries can be found on the Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table Eisner Grants page. Interested applicants will find resources and examples on the Eisner Grants FAQ page to help guide them through the process of writing their grant applications. The application deadline is Sunday February 13, 2022. For any inquiries, please contact ALA Graphic Novels & Comics in Libraries Round Table staff liaison Tina Coleman at ...@ala.org" style="color: #2199e8; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" title="mailto:ccol...@ala.org">ccol...@ala.org.

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Matthew Noe
Lead Collection and Knowledge Management Librarian
Countway Library of Medicine
...@hms.harvard.edu" style="color: #2199e8; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Matt...@hms.harvard.edu | @NoetheMatt
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