Comic discussion series hosted by University Library
Jacqueline Wallace/The Rider Photo
Adalia Garza | THE RIDER
The Research and Instructional Services department of the University Library is hosting a virtual series of comic discussions called “Graphic Thoughts” via Zoom to connect with students amid the pandemic.
The weekly series began shortly after COVID-19 restrictions mandated the shutdown of in-person meetings. Carlton Nelson, a research and instruction librarian, said the library wanted to interact with students and provide a “relief valve” for them during the pandemic.
“The goal is to get people to interact with librarians and the library in a non-traditional kind of way,” Nelson said. “The other goal was to provide some sort of programming to students during the pandemic and also to, kind of, provide a relief valve, some way to have fun, through the university.”
Nelson explained the importance of the library.
“The library is an important part of the university,” he said. “We provide many services and many resources that I don’t think the students are too familiar with, and one of those services is access to experts, access to librarians.”
Nelson said it was a good idea to host a non-academic outlet for students.
“[The library] opening up another avenue for [students] to interact with us is always a good idea because it, basically, allows us to talk with patrons but in a non-official capacity.”
According to its monthly flyers, the discussion series is a series of discussions on graphic novels, cartoons, and other pop culture issues.
Nelson said small groups discuss different types of comics with several talking points.
“Generally, we talk about comics, which includes not only comic books, graphic novels, but also cartoons –more traditional [ones], like Sunday comics, online web comics and graphic literature,” he said. “Whether it’s the story, the actual art, the political, social, cultural content of comics, the history of it, it just depends on what the topic is.”
Shawn Vela, an entrepreneurship and innovation freshman, said comics are an outlet for him. He has attended two meetings since enrolling in UTRGV this spring.
“Had I been in college, you know, a lot longer, I would have without question attended the meetings because it’s a very engaging discussion outlet for me,” Vela said.
He plans to establish his own comic publishing business and said the discussions help him understand his audience.
“This sort of discussion helps me get further insight as to what the audience is, what they want, what they don’t want, what they’re seeking, what they seek in types of works,” Vela said.
He said creating his own comics is something he will continue as it has helped him through difficult times.
“I had very troublesome middle school years and high school years, but one thing that kept me going was just, you know, investing my time into these stories, which have inspired me, uplifted me in some way, maybe reshaped my view of the world, and I want to do that again,” Vela said.
Nelson said furthering the knowledge of a student’s insight on comics is satisfying.
“It’s always neat when a person says, ‘Hey, I’ve never heard of that particular comic before. Where did you find it? How can you get a hold of it?’” he said. “You know, allowing people to discover different types of graphic narrative is really cool.”
The upcoming discussion will be held April 28 at 5 p.m. RSVP is available on V Link.
