Promoting Literacy Through Manga

After you attend this course, you’ll be able to:

• Identify and differentiate key manga genres, formats, and stylistic conventions.
  


• Advocate for the value of manga in library collections.
  


• Build and manage a manga collection that’s age-appropriate, diverse, and tailored to your readers.
  


• Plan manga themed programs and events tailored to your community.


• Explore manga-based ideas to strengthen reading engagement, literacy development, and disciplinary learning.

This course consists of 4 on-demand modules:

Module 1: Manga 101

This foundational module provides you with essential knowledge to confidently integrate manga into your collections, programs, and literacy initiatives. You'll gain a comprehensive understanding of manga as a diverse and engaging genre, exploring its various formats, stylistic conventions, and key terminology. You’ll also learn how to effectively advocate for the inclusion and value of manga within your library collection, addressing common misconceptions and highlighting its significant role in fostering literacy and reading engagement among young readers.

Module 2: Manga collections

Building any library collection involves the same steps -- selecting, purchasing, labeling, shelving, and weeding – and manga is no different. In this module, you’ll learn about helpful resources that assist with selecting and purchasing manga that align with your readers’ interests. You’ll gather ideas for organizing and managing this unique collection type so your readers can discover stories that resonate with them. Whatever stage of collection development you are in -- starting, expanding, or reviewing – you'll come away with new ideas for tailoring your manga collection to your community of young readers

Module 3: Manga-Based Programs

Manga is a fantastic springboard for engaging library programs! This module will help you develop exciting manga-based events for children and teens in your school and community. We'll explore a wide range of program ideas, and you'll learn how to leverage this popular genre to foster a love of reading. Get ready to brainstorm ideas, consider classroom or community partnerships, and create programming plans that excite your diverse readers.

Module 4: Teaching with Manga

Description in progress

Who should take this course

This course is for school librarians (grades 3-12) and public youth services librarians.

This will be a self-paced, asynchronous online course.

Expected time commitment

This course includes 4 modules, each designed to take approximately 4 hours to complete. You can move through the content at your own pace and on your own schedule. You'll earn 16 hours of PD credit and a School Library Journal certificate of completion.

On-demand access

You will have access to the full course 6 months from course start date or enrollment date, if enrolling after course starts.

Certificate of completion

Complete the course and earn 16 professional development credit hours. We provide a certificate that is emailed to you.

Support

For support with online courses, please contact course-support@libraryjournal.com.

Sara Smith, District Librarian in California’s Central Valley

Sarah is the District Librarian in California’s Central Valley. Previously, she was a high school teacher librarian and a high school English teacher. She has read and professionally reviewed over 1000 manga and graphic novels for several sources: her own website, The Graphic Library, where she provides collection development content for libraries; and the professional publications of Booklist and School Library Journal. She has written articles for California English, Diamond Bookshelf, and Booklist and is a frequent podcast guest on School Librarians United. Sara has enjoyed touring the country as a speaker at conferences such as the annual conferences of the American Library Association and the American Association of School Librarians.

Emily Ratica, High School English Teacher in California

Emily has been in education for over eighteen years, both as a teacher and a school librarian. She holds a BA in English Teaching from BYU and a MLIS from San Jose State University. She is currently back in the classroom, teaching high school English in southern California, where she focuses heavily on comics, graphic novels, and manga in her curriculum. She is particularly passionate about teaching all kinds of literacy skills and strongly believes that incorporating visual literacy through graphic literature is essential for student success.

Discounted rates are available for a limited time only. Secure your tickets now to lock in the best price.

Group Rates

We offer discounts for groups of 3 or more.

For larger groups of 15 or more, we offer the option to apply group rates across multiple courses to receive significant discounts. For more information, select “Bulk Course Credits Packages” in the form below.

Request Discounted Group Pricing

For support with group purchases, please contact groupsales@libraryjournal.com.