Main points:
- Cockburn Libraries will be the first library service in Australia to feature at Oz Comic-Con in Perth
- The City of Cockburn’s three libraries have more than 5,000 comic books and graphic novels, and 330 Anime movies available to borrow, for free!
- Cockburn Libraries will feature at Oz Comic-Con at Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre 1-2 April.
In an Australian-first for annual pop culture and cos-play event Oz Comic-Con, Cockburn Libraries and its collection of comic books and graphic novels will feature among hundreds of stallholders and attractions in Perth on 1 and 2 April.
The City of Cockburn’s three libraries have more than 5,000 comic books and graphic novels, and 330 Anime movies available to borrow, for free!
“In what organisers have told us, Cockburn Libraries staff will be the first library in Australia to have a presence at Oz Comic-Con,” City of Cockburn Senior Library Manager Amanda Heptinstall said.
“It makes a lot of sense because Cockburn Libraries members have free access to borrow items from our collection at a time when comic book and graphic novels sales are growing in Australia and globally, all while the cost of living continues to climb.”
In Australia in 2020, graphic novel sales grew by more than 60 per cent, according to the Nielsen Book Trend Report.
In the US, 2021 was a record year for comic book sales, with a nearly 49 per cent sales increase on the previous year, and a total of around 99 million copies sold, according to WordsRated data.
“But we have a better way! The City of Cockburn’s three libraries has a huge collection suitable for loan by children, teens and adults, and it’s all free for members,” Ms Heptinstall said.
“That way you can try before you buy, or just borrow something new every week, and still enjoy your passion and spare time without worrying about blowing the budget.
“And if we don’t have it, just ask, and if we can, we’ll buy it for the City’s library service.”
Cockburn Libraries also has a great art collection for aspiring artists, animators, and comic book creators to spark inspiration, and hosts Anime clubs and movie screenings.
Library membership also provides access to streaming and online resources through Hoopla, Libby, Cloud Library, and Borrowbox.
A posse of Super Librarians from our libraries in Coolbellup, Spearwood and Success, will present a stall in Artists‘ Alley at the two-day event at Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.
They will be on hand to talk to crowds of pop culture enthusiasts as they indulge in all things comics, gaming, art creation, Anime, Manga, and story creation, with fans meeting their pop culture idols and out-doing each other with their amazing cosplay costume creations.
Cockburn Libraries is also gearing up for Cockburn Comic-Fest in May which will include a Manga workshop, Anime club, comic making workshop, a Star Wars dress up day, and a comics themed family quiz night.
Did you know:
- Star Wars Day is 4 May (May The Fourth Be With You)
- National Cartoonist Day is 5 May
- Free Comic Book Day is 6 May
Caption: Just three of Cockburn Libraries Super Librarians, l-r David Kursar, Jennifer Dans and Lisa Lester.