Graphic Novel Selection and the Application of Intellectual Freedom in New Zealand Secondary School Libraries

Abstract

There is a gap in our knowledge about the relationship between school library managers’ graphic novels selection and self-censorship practices. In this project, we surveyed New Zealand secondary school library managers. The survey results suggested school library managers inconsistently follow professional library standards in selection practice and that self-censorship was identifiable among 56% of the survey respondents. Many respondents also indicated that impartiality was an insignificant selection criterion. Results also indicated that school library managers were unclear as to whether intellectual freedom principles applied to people under the age of 18. We provide directions for further research and implications for practice, including our commitment to create a best-practice guide, based upon the research presented here, to assist school library managers in the development of graphic novel collections that not only meet educational standards of assisting literacy, but also align with professional library standards of intellectual freedom.