Scheduled Chats

Something New is in the Air!

WELCOME to the GNLIB-On-The-Web Communications Area!  Thank you for taking time to join us to chat about graphic novel collections in public and school libraries.  Your input is important to us and we welcome your participation in a member chat.  Take a look at the ideas below and offer your input!

Scheduled GNLIB Chats.  We are currently planning scheduled chats on a weekly basis.  Appearing on alternating Wednesdays and Fridays at 2:00 p.m. EST, we can meet to discuss a variety of topics relating to graphic novels.  These discussions will be an online version of a round-table, or interest group meeting.  Members are asked to volunteer to help moderate the discussion.  A sample schedule is below.

 Any time not listed is available for Open Forum.  Feel free to meet with other members to chat about anything comic-related.

DiG Comics! (Discussion Group for Comics).  Members can volunteer to moderate special chat sessions to discuss popular graphic novel titles.  

• Just as with any book discussion group, participants will be asked to read that session's title ahead of time, and to be prepared to discuss opinions on plot, artwork, collection placement, and other subjects.  

• These sessions can be scheduled at the convenience of the group leader, so it is possible to have after-hours, late night, or weekend DiG chats.  

• Titles selected for discussion should be recognized as popular and/or a “must-read.”  The focus of each chat should be on individual titles, rather than series.  Book should be in-print.  

• The GNLIB Communications Area must be reserved (just like your meeting room), and participation is limited only to members of the GNLIB-L discussion list.

• Leading a DiG Comics chat session is exactly the same as offering to host a book discussion group at your library - you study the material beforehand, reserve a meeting place, welcome the participants, and guide the discussion.  But, instead of reserving a meeting room, you're reserving a chat room, and instead of meeting with your neighbors, you'll be sharing graphic novels with fellow professionals from around the world!

• There is no commitment other than "do what you say."  You may volunteer for a single session to discuss a single title, or you may choose to lead a series of chats, each focusing on GNs in series, or disparate.

• "What's In It For Me?"  DiG Comics leaders can always place this activity on a resume.  This shows your active participation in professional development and in the constructive use of technology. Once we get going, an archive of past events can be set up, on which you can verify your status as a DiG Comics leader.

• Please schedule your chats at least one month in advance, to give GNLIB Members time to read the material and arrange to participate.

I Want To Do It!  If you would like to help moderate a Scheduled Chat, or are interested in leading a DiG Comics chat, please email Steve Miller to sign up.  Don't forget to fill out a Comment Card letting us know what you think of these ideas!

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