Dorothy Westerman
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Oct 04/04) - The introduction of graphic novels onto the shelves of the Inuvik Centennial Library has resulted in a dramatic increase of borrowed materials by young adults, say staff.

Jim Gray, library technician at the Inuvik Centennial library, says graphic novels are a popular choice among young male adults. - Dorothy Westerman/NNSL photo

In fact, as many books were borrowed in one month as were borrowed in the previous eight months, thanks to the introduction of the colourful reading materials last September, said Bev Garven, head librarian.

"In one month we equalled our statistics for the first eight months of (2003)," she said.

A cross between a short novel and a "very highly illustrated comic book," Garven said the bright colours of the graphic novel catch readers' attention.

She has seen eight-year-olds and adults indulge in the books.

"You get a story line right away. You get action right away and you are able to watch in a linear progression," Gray explained.

"And because it doesn't take five or six days to read one, you can read one in an evening and bring it back."

Gray said it is always his hope that the graphic novel reader will progress to other genres and reading levels.

"I try to incorporate the comic books that have characters from literature in them, like The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, which features characters from British novels, such as the Invisible Man or Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," he said.

"The hope is they will see these characters and want to know more about them and then we can put them on to the books that they came from."

With NWT Literacy Week held Sept. 26-Oct.2, various events were held across the region to highlight the importance of reading.

"It's vital," Gray said. "The ability to read and to cognitively think through the process of reading increases your ability to do anything."

"You cannot argue you will not use reading in whatever job you do for the rest of your life."

Several children sitting in the library on a snowy day had their own ideas of what they enjoyed reading the most.

Kyle Bilodeau, 11, said, while he does not often indulge in a good book, adventure books are a favourite choice when he takes the time.

"I like all of them."

Simon Hagen, 8, likes reading at school.

Courtney Bilodeau, 11, just won a reading contest at the library.

"I like fantasy and adventure books," she said.

Adult readers enjoy "just about anything," Garven said of the wide selection of genres.

"You have to find something that piques their interest."

In the adult category, Garven said an average of 291.1 adult fiction books per month were read last year.

To the end of August this year, those numbers were up slightly to 291.6.

"It's fairly consistent," Garven said.